
Class l'~ 

Book. l / 

Copyright^ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



OUTLINE MEDITATIONS 



OUTLINE MEDITATIONS 



BY 



MADAME CECILIA 

ll 




New York, Cincinnati, Chicago 

BENZIGER BROTHERS 

PRINTERS TO THE PUBLISHERS OF 

HOLT APOSTOLIC SEE | BENZIGER'S MAGAZINE 

1918 






<U 



mW Ofaatat 



ARTHUR J. SCANLAN, S.T.D., 

C«n$or IAbrorum 



imprint alur. 



+ JOHN CARDINAL FARLEY, 

Arehbiihop of New York. 



Nkw Yobk, July 11, 1918 



NOV 13 1918 



COPYRIGHT, 1918, BY BemZIGI* BROTHERS 



©CI.A508135 



V 



J 



s 



PREFACE 



These Outlines are published in the hope 
that they may be useful for the purpose of 
private meditation or for instructions to sodal- 
ities. Those who are accustomed to meditate 
daily are sometimes glad to have a subject out- 
lined, rather than fully developed. Many 
nuns have charge of different sodalities and, 
possibly, they might find these Outlines useful, 
when press of work prevents them from pre- 
paring an instruction for their sodalities. The 
subjects are grouped according to the ecclesi- 
astical seasons. In the different sections most 
of the outlines bear directly upon the mysteries 
of the respective seasons ; a few, however, bear 
only indirectly upon them. 

Madame Cecilia. 



CONTENTS 

ADVENT SUBJECTS PAGE 

1. Advent Lessons 10 

2. Our Preparation for Christmas . . .12 

3. "Surely, I Come Quickly" 14 

4. On Death 16 

5. "He Cometh with the Clouds" .... 18 

6. The Last Judgment 20 

7. Purgatory 22 

CHRISTMAS SUBJECTS 

8. The Birth of Jesus 24 

9. The Holy Name of Jesus 26 

10. Lessons from the Epiphany .... 28 

11. The Epiphany Star 30 

12. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple 32 

13. Holy Simeon 34 

14. The Flight into Egypt 36 

15. Our Father's Business 38 

16. The Silence of Mary 40 

17. Jesus' Boyhood 42 

18. The Holy Family in Nazareth ... 44 

LENTEN SUBJECTS 

19. Strength in Weakness 46 

20. On Keeping Lent 48 

21. "Come Apart and Rest a Little" ... 50 

22. The Forty Days in the Desert ... 52 

23. Our Lord's Temptation in the Desert . 54 

6 



Contents 7 

PAGE 

24. "Tempted Like as We Are" 56 

25. Christ's Teaching on Self-Denial . . 58 

26. Mortification, an Obligation for all 

Christians 60 

27. Jesus, Our Exemplar in Prayer ... 62 

28. Jesus' Steadfast Purpose 64 

29. On the Way to Jerusalem 66 

SO. Ministering Women 68 

31. The Transfiguration 70 

32. Predictions of the Passion — I .... 72 

33. Predictions of the Passion— II 74 

34. Jesus of Nazareth was Passing By ... 76 

35. Jesus' "Hour" 78 

36. "Jesus Hid Himself" 80 

37. Jesus Washes His Apostles' Feet ... 82 

88. Confidence in God 84 

89. "Leaning on Jesus' Bosom" 86 

40. The Friendship of Christ 88 

41. Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemani .... 90 

42. Lessons from Gethsemani ... * . 92 

43. The Submission of Jesus 94 

44. Fiat! 96 

45. Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem .... 98 

46. The Sufferings of Jesus 100 

47. Jesus, Our Surety 102 

48. "With Jesus of Nazareth" 104 

49. The Sentiments of Jesus During His Pas- 

sion 106 

50. "Despised and Rejected" 108 

51. "Ecce Homo" 110 

52. The Kingship of Jesus 112 

53. Jesus on the Cross, Our Divine Exemplar 114 



8 Contents 

PAGE 

54. The Five Wounds 116 

55. Wounded by Friends 118 

56. The Precious Blood 120 

EASTER SUBJECTS 

57. The Feast of Easter 122 

58. Jesus' Glorified Body 124 

59. "Risen with Christ" 126 

60. Apparition of Our Lord to St. Mary Mag- 

dalen 128 

61. Jesus Appears to the Apostles on Easter 

Day 130 

62. The Joy of the Disciples 132 

63. Our Lord's Promises to His Disciples . .134 

64. Christ's Gift of Peace 136 

65. The Apparition to the Disciples of Em- 

maus 138 

66. Our Divine Guide 140 

67. The Apparition to St. Thomas . . . .142 

68. The Apparition by the Sea of Tiberias . 144 

69. Christ's Charge to St. Peter . . . .146 

70. "Follow Thou Me" 148 

71. A Searching Question 150 

72. "He Ascended into Heaven" — I . . .152 

73. "He Ascended into Heaven" — II . . .154 

74. Earth and Heaven — a Contrast . . .156 

75. Jesus' Gifts to Men 158 

76. Our Gifts to God 160 

77. "Able to Succor" 162 

WHITSUN SUBJECTS 

78. The Person and the Work of the Holy 

Ghost 164 



Contents 9 

PAGE 

79. The Gifts of the Holy Ghost — I . . .166 

80. The Gifts of the Holy Ghost — II . . .168 

81. Living Temples of the Holy Ghost .. .170 

82. Living Sacrifices 172 

THE BLESSED TRINITY 

83. On the Blessed Trinity 174 

84. The Worship of God • . . . . . . 176 

85. God's Love for Man 178 

86. "Worthy of God" 180 

THE BLESSED EUCHARIST 

87. The Blessed Sacrament 182 

88. The Effects of Holy Communion . . .184 

THE BLESSED VIRGIN 

89. The Immaculate Conception — I . . .186 

90. The Immaculate Conception — II . . .188 

91. The Nativity of Our Lady 190 

92. The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary . 192 

93. The Presentation of Our Lady in the 

Temple 194 

94. The Annunciation 196 

95. The Feast of the Visitation .... 198 

96. Mary's Joys and Sorrows at Bethlehem . 200 

97. The Feast of the Seven Dolors . . . 202 

98. Mary and the Infant Church . . . . 204 

99. Our Lady's Greatness 206 

100. Mary, Mother and Model of all the 

Faithful 208 



ADVENT SUBJECTS 

1, ADVENT LESSONS 

"It is now the hour for us to rise from sleep, 
for now our salvation is nearer than when we 
became believers" (Rom. xiii. 11.) 

Introduction : 

Sleep is an image of death. There is a spir- 
itual "sleeping-sickness" which attacks the 
soul ; we call it tepidity. 

The Key-note of Advent is "Awake!" 

This includes watchfulness and fervor : 
In preparation for the coming festival of 

Christmas. 
In preparation for the coming death and 

judgment. 

Motives for Arousing Ourselves from 
Spiritual Sloth or Tepidity in God's 
Service : 

We are so naturally inclined to slacken 
down. 

We have slept too long already in the past. 

Our span of lif e is so short, so uncertain. 

Every hour brings duties and responsibili- 
ties. 

Our own soul offers such a wide field of 
labor. 

Earth's pleasures are enticing; they deaden 

the perceptions of the soul to eternal 

realities. 

10 



Advent Lessons 11 

We must help to arouse other souls, and this 
implies being spiritually awake ourselves. 

Satan is ever on the alert, "seeking whom he 
may devour." 

The reward of vigilance exceeds man's con- 
ceptions and is eternal. 

Signs of Fervor or Spiritual Activity: 

A sincere desire to be fervent. 

A firm will never to be discouraged, to die 
"climbing." 1 

This leads us to take bravely all the neces- 
sary means for advancing in virtue. 

A real zeal for spreading the knowledge of 
the Faith. 

Hindrances to Fervor: 

Indifference and apathy as regards religion. 

Attachment to worldly things; e.g., pleas- 
ures, ease, comfort, inordinate love of 
creatures. 

Wilful negligence in little things. 

Attachment to some particular fault or im- 
perfection. 

Being too much absorbed by work or cares. 

Application : 

How do I stand as regards watchfulness? 
Wherein do I fail the oftenest? 

i On the tomb of an Alpine guide in the Alps these words 
are engraved: "He died climbing. R. I. P." 



12 Advent Subjects 

2. OUR PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS 



fC 



C A voice of one crying in the wilderness: 
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight 
His paths. Every valley shall be filled, and 
every mountain and hill shall be brought low; 
and the crooked shall be made straight, and the 
rough ways plain. And all flesh shall see the 
salvation of God." (Luke iii. 4-6; Is. xL 3.) 

Introduction: 

The prophet uses the similitude of an East- 
ern monarch, who when going on a journey 
had the roads prepared and sent on heralds 
ahead to announce his arrival. Thus, St. 
John the Baptist's mission was to prepare 
the Jews for the coming of their Redeemer. 
The words can be applied to the Christian's 
preparation for the holy season of Christ- 
mas. 

Every Valley Shall Be Filled; i.e., 

Indifference must be shaken off. 
Negligences must be repaired. 
Despondency must be overcome. 

Mountain and Hill Brought Low; i.e., 

Greater and lesser obstacles to the King's 
progress removed. This involves: 

Conquering pride. 

Detaching the soul from sin. 

Overcoming bad habits. 



Our Preparation for Christmas 13 

Crooked Paths Straightened; Hence: 

Purity of intention. 

Real earnestness in serving God. 

No following "the path of least resistance." 

Rough Paths Leveled, Which Involves: 

Rectifying the inconsistencies of our daily 

lives. 
Controlling our moods and fancies. 
Removing what might cause our neighbor to 

stumble — avoiding scandal. 

The Results of this Work in Our Souls: 

Christ will dwell more fully in our souls. 

We shall see the salvation of the Lord when 
He visits us. Cf. "This day I must 
abide in thy house. . . . This day is sal- 
vatiou come to this house." (Luke xix. 
5, 9.) 

Our souls will enjoy that peace promised "to 
men of good will." 

Application: 

What sacrifice does the Divine Master ask 

of us? 
What can we give Him as a proof of our 

desire to receive His visit? 



14 Advent Subjects 

3. "SURELY, I COME QUICKLY" 

"He . . . saith . . . Surely, I come quickly. 
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." (Apoc. xxii. 
20.) 

Introduction: 

Each year, during the holy season of Ad- 
vent, the Church reminds us of the various 
Advents of Jesus, as an incentive to vigilance 
and fervor. 

What Are We Expecting? 

The coming of death. 

The judgment which follows. 

The general judgment. 

The final decision as to our eternal dwelling- 
place — heaven or hell. 

In each of these events the Christian soul 
meets her Lord. 

How Does Jesus Come to Us During Oub 
Life upon Earth? 

By His grace through the ministry of His 
priests. 

By the Holy Eucharist. 

By His visitations of mercy and of chastise- 
ment. 

At death when He comes to take us unto 
Himself. 



"Surely, I Come Quickly" 15 

What Reception Does He Find When He 
Comes? 

Hostility on the part of the wicked. 

Indifference on the part of lax Catholics. 

Often "a closed door": His own receive 
Him not. 

A selfish, grasping spirit on the part of those 
who would receive the crown without hav- 
ing carried the Cross. 

A hearty, loyal welcome from the saints. 

How Would He Have Us Receive Him? 

With earnest longings for His Advent, 

whichever form it takes. 
In a pure dwelling and the place of honor 

therein. 
With gifts, consisting of victories over the 

devil. 

What Does He Being as Royal Bounties? 

Pardon of sin. 

Peace of soul. 

Joy surpassing understanding. 

Spiritual illumination. 

Often His Cross, as His most precious gift. 

Application : 

How do we prepare for His coming? 
What gift does He ask of us? 



16 Advent Subjects 

4. ON DEATH 

"It is appointed unto men once to die, and 
after this the judgment" (Heb. ix. 27.) 

Introduction: 

Nothing so certain as death, the one cer- 
tainty amid the shifting sands of time. Yet 
nothing is so difficult as for the individual 
to realize that he personally must die. 
"Each man deems all others mortal except 
himself." Yet each Christian can make 
Job's words his own: "I know that Thou 
wilt deliver me to death, where a house is ap- 
pointed for every one that liveth." (Job 
xxx. 23.) 

Death Is a Punishment : 

Had man never sinned, there would have 

been no death. 
Cf. "In what day soever thou shalt eat 

of it, thou shalt die the death." (Gen. 

ii. 17.) 
"By one man sin entered into this world, 

and by sin death." (Rom. v. 12.) 
"In Adam all die." (1 Cor. xv. 22.) 

Death Is a Separation From : 

Our bodies — an integral part of man. 
This world, the only dwelling-place we have 

known. 
All near and dear to us. 



On Death 17 

Death Is a Torch : 

Lighting up the ephemeral things of earth. 
Guiding us along our life's path. 
Helping us to live for the things unseen. 

Death Is a Meeting: 

With those whom we have loved and who 
have preceded us into eternity. 

With the saints and just of all ages. 

With the angels of God, our faithful guard- 
ians. 

With Mary our Immaculate Mother. 

With Jesus our Saviour. 

Death Is a Recompense: 

For the labors and sorrows of our exile. 
The death of God's saints is precious in His 

sight. 
It satisfies our longing to possess our God, 

to be wholly His. 
It gives us an eternal reward — the precari- 

ousness of tenure spoils all earthly joys. 

Application : 

Christians should be ready to welcome death, 
which involves dying daily to all that in 
our souls or in the world 

Opposes our sanctification and consequently 

Opposes our salvation. 



18 Advent Subjects 

5. "HE COMETH WITH THE CLOUDS" 

"Behold He comeih with the clouds, and 
every eye shall see Him" ( Apoc. i. 7.) 

Introduction : 

God led the Israelites by day in the desert by 
a pillar of cloud. This cloud was 
A guide in the desert. 
A protection from the heat. 
A protection from their enemies (when 
it stood between them and the Egyp- 
tians) . 
A proof of God's power. 
A sign of His presence with His people. 

While upon Earth, Jesus Concealed His 
Divinity as with a Cloud : 

By His Sacred Humanity. 

By taking the form of a slave. 

Now and then the cloud lifted, as at His 

Transfiguration. 

Resurrection. 

Ascension. 
Finally, "a cloud received Him" out of His 

disciples' sight. 
He will come upon the clouds of heaven "to 

judge the living and the dead." 

Clouds still Conceal and Reveal Our 
Lord's Presence. 
Under the Eucharistic species He "appears 
in the cloud." (Lev. xvi. 2.) 



"He Cometh With the Clouds" 19 

Trials and temptations. 

Cf. "He is like a refining fire . . . He 

shall sit refining and cleansing . . . He 

shall purify the sons of Levi and shall 

refine them as gold and as silver." 

(Mai. iii. 2, 3.) 
The voice of authority. "He that heareth 

you heareth Me." 
The overruling of Providence. All coor- 

dained by God for our good. 
Spiritual desolation. Cf. "I come to thee 

in the darkness of a cloud." (Ex. xix. 

9.) "Make not haste in the time of 

clouds." (Ecclus. ii. 2.) 

We Can Pierce the Cloud That Conceals 

Our Blessed Lord : 
By prayer — that "of the humble pierceth the 

sky." 
By firm faith. 
By confidence that "we shall be taken up in 

the clouds to meet Christ." 
By resignation to God's will. 
By courage in going forward — a cloud is not 

a stone wall. 

Application : 

Trust in God when the clouds overshadow 
us ; sooner or later the day will dawn and 
"the shadows flee away." 

Never give way to despondency and inaction 
when God sends spiritual clouds or tem- 
poral trials. 



20 Advent Subjects 

6. THE LAST JUDGMENT 

"They shall see the Son of man coming in the 
clouds of heaven with much power and maj- 
esty" (Matt. xxiv. 30.) "The Lord Jesus 
shall be revealed from heaven with the angels 
of His power" ( 2 Thess. i. 7. ) 

Introduction : 

Contemplate that scene on Mount Olivet in 
Holy Week. It was evening, and, sitting 
on the slopes of Olivet, Jesus spoke of the 
destruction of Jerusalem and of the end 
of the world. Then four of the apostles 
question Jesus: "Tell us when shall these 
things be, and what shall be the sign of Thy 
coming and of the consummation of the 
world?" (Matt. xxiv. 3.) 

Signs of the Coming of the Son of Man : 

Nature's convulsions — sun, moon, and stars 
failing in their courses. 

The cross shall appear in the heavens herald- 
ing the Coming of the Judge. 

Great tribulations shall precede the last day. 

Yet, in Spite of Certain Indices of Jesus' 
Coming, the Day and the Houe Are 

Unknown: 

He comes as a thief in the night. 
When social relations are going on — "marry- 
ing and giving in marriage," feasting, etc. 



The Last Judgment 21 

When civil relations are being attended to — 

buying and selling. 
When men least expect that Advent. 

How Can Christians Prepare for That 

Day of Retribution? 
The Scriptures answer this question: 

"In this is the charity of God perfected 
with us, that we may have confidence in 
the day of judgment." ( 1 John iv. 17. ) 

"Judge not, that you may not be judged; 
for with what judgment you judge, you 
shall be judged." (Matt. vii. 1.) 

"Watch and pray, for ye know not when 
the time is." (Mark xiv. 33.) 

"Trade till I come." (Luke xix. 13.) 

"Perfect charity casteth out fear." (1 
John iv. 18.) 

Application : 

How far are we preparing for the Last Day 
By charity toward God and our neighbor? 
By vigilance and prayer? 
By utilizing the talents confided to us by 
God? 



22 Advent Subjects 

7. PURGATORY 
"Some shall be saved as by fire/ 3 

Introduction : 

That there is a place of purification after 

death is based on four grounds: 
The teaching of the Scriptures. 
That of the Catholic Church. 
The Jewish belief that "It is a holy and 

wholesome thought to pray for the 

dead." 
Reason itself teaches that there must be 

some intermediate state, otherwise God 

could not be just. 

What the Soul Sees on Entering Purga- 
tory : 

Many it knew upon earth. 

Many it had thought to be in heaven. 

Many it had thought to be in hell. 

Some perhaps suffering for sins which that 
soul had helped them to commit. 

Souls in different degrees of purity. 

Souls winging their flight to heaven, at which 
those who remain rejoice. 

Angels watching over, consoling, encourag- 
ing those committed to their charge. 

What the Soul Hears in Purgatory: 
Acts of entire submission to God's holy will. 
Acts of thanksgiving for all God's mercies. 
Acts of regret at ever having offended God. 
Acts of humility. 



Purgatory 23 

Acts of desire for the Living God. 
In a word, sentiments so different from those 
generally heard in this world. 

What the Soul Experiences in Purga- 
tory: 

Shame and confusion at the thought of past 

sins. 
A peace that passeth understanding — for 

that soul is sure of salvation. 
Passionate longing to possess God, whom 

the soul realizes to be its only good and 

for whom it was created. 
Intense suffering on account of its perfect 

union with God being deferred. 
Increase of hope and charity as the moment 

of its deliverance draws nearer. 

Application: 

Take home to ourselves St. Paul's words, 
divinely inspired: "Now if any man 
build upon this foundation (which is 
Christ Jesus) , gold, silver, precious stones, 
wood, hay, stubble, every man's work shall 
be manifest, for the day of the Lord shall 
declare it, because it shall be revealed in 
fire; and the fire shall try every man's 
work, of what sort it is. If any man's 
work abide, which he hath built thereupon, 
he shall receive a reward. If any man's 
work burn, he shall suffer loss : but he him- 
self shall be saved, yet so as by fire." (1 
Cor. iiL 15.) 



CHRISTMAS SUBJECTS 

8. THE BIRTH OF JESUS 

"A Child is born to us, and a Son is given to 

us" (Is. ix. 6.) 

Introduction : 

Consider the Incarnate Son of God, as He 
lies in the humble manger. Mary and Jo- 
seph kneel and adore. 

What Jesus Sought When He Came as a 
Little Child: 

The love of His own — yet "they received 

Him not." 
To be a Saviour to all. 
To do His Father's will — "Lo, I come to do 

Thy will." 
Extreme poverty and, as a consequence, 
Suffering for Himself and for those dear to 

Him. 
To give us an example of all virtues. 

How Was He Received? 

With indifference as regards the worldly. 
With hatred by those who would not have 

Him rule them (e.g., Herod) . 
With love and joy by Mary, Joseph, the 

shepherds, the Magi, the angels. 

24 



The Birth of Jesus 25 

What Gifts Did the Babe of Bethlehem 
Bestow ? 

Peace with God — through the forgiveness of 

sins. 
Peace with our neighbor, whom He bids us 

love. 
Peace with ourselves, by removing all that 

tends to disquiet us and bidding us trust 

Him. 
Joy in that heaven is at last to be opened to 

men. 

Application : 

In our Christmas communion, the Divine 
Infant comes to us. What gift can we 
offer Him as a proof of love ? Let our 
present be: 

A careful preparation for His visit. 

A reverent reception. 

An earnest thanksgiving for "His un- 
speakable gift" in union with Our 
Blessed Lady and the heavenly hosts. 



26 Christmas Subjects 

9. THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS 



«\ 



€ I will glorify Thy name forever" (Ps. 
lxxxv. 12.) "Thou shalt call His name 
Jesus" (Luke i. 31.) 



Introduction: 

The name stands for the person, his quali- 
ties, his deeds (good or bad) , his reputation. 
What thoughts are brought to mind by such 
names as Judas, Satan, St. John, holy Si- 
meon, Our Lady, Jesus! 



The Name of Jesus Is a Name of Power; 
e.g., 

"In the name of Jesus every knee should 
bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, 
and under the earth; and every tongue 
should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ 
is in the glory of God the Father." 
(Philipp. ii. 10, 11.) 

St. Peter and St. John healed the lame man 
by invoking the name of Jesus. 

"There is no other name under heaven given 
to men, whereby we must be saved." 
(Acts iv. 12.) 

"By His name all receive remission of sins." 
(Actsx. 43.) 

The devils were subject to the apostles when 
they invoked the name of Jesus. 



The Holy Name of Jesus 27 

The Name of Jesus Brings Consolation, 
Pardon, Hope, and Joy. 

"Thou . . . art plenteous in mercy to all 

that call upon Thee." (Ps. lxxxv. 5.) 
"For Thy name's sake Thou wilt lead me 

and nourish me." (Ps. xxx. 4.) 
"For Thy name's sake, O Lord, Thou wilt 

pardon my sin, for it is great." (Ps. 

xxiv. 11.) 
"In Thy name they shall rejoice all the day." 

(Ps. lxxxviii. 17.) 

Our Duties toward the Holy Name: 

To pronounce it reverently 

In prayer. 

In temptation. 
To trust in that holy name 

In life. 

In death. 
To make it known by word and deed. 

Cf. "I have manifested Thy name." 
(John xvii. 6.) "Hallowed be Thy 
name." (Matt. vi. 9.) 

Our Reward: 

Having honored the Holy Name upon earth, 
we shall glorify it eternally in heaven. 

"His name shall be written" on the fore- 
heads of the redeemed. 



28 Christmas Subjects 

10. LESSONS FROM THE EPIPHANY 

"We have seen His star in the East and are 
come to adore Him." (Matt. ii. 2.) 

Introduction : 

The Magi not only saw the star, but they 
accepted it as God's messenger and followed 
it promptly and courageously. "We have 
seen ... we are come." 

The Faithful Are Guided by God's Holy 
Will as by a Star: 

Thus the Church applies it in her liturgy. 
Cf . "Give unto Thy people at all times 
surely to discern Thy holy will, and 
strenuously to labor in the fulfilment 
thereof." (Collect for Sunday after 
Epiphany.) 
God does not leave us in darkness ; He guides 
us 

By conscience. 

By special inspirations. 

By the voice of our superiors. 
Our "star" may be: 

Some clear duty. 

A practice of piety the soul feels called to 
take up. 

A sacrifice for which God asks. 

The practice of some special virtue. 

Some work God would have us take up. 



Lessojis from the Epiphany 29 

A call to a higher life ; e.g., to the priest- 
hood, to the religious life, to a closer life 
of union with God (even though not 
called to practise the Counsels). 

Having Seen "the Stab," We Must Fol- 
low Whithersoever It Leads — always 
ultimately to the throne of God. 

This is God's object in sending the star. 

Love and gratitude should impel us to fol- 
low it. 

Thus we show ourselves to be true disciples. 

To follow the star exacts : 

Overcoming natural repugnances. 

Constancy. 

Great love. 

He who sends the star gives the grace to fol- 
low it. 

We get nearer to God in proportion to our 
fidelity in following our star. 

Application : 

Have we perceived our star? 

Are we generously following its guidance? 

If not, what hinders us from so doing? 



30 Christmas Subjects 

11. THE EPIPHANY STAR 

"Behold the star which they had seen in the 
East went before them until it came and stood 
over where the Child was. And seeing the 
star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 
And entering into the house, they found the 
Child with Mary, His Mother." (Matt. ii. 
9-11.) 

Introduction : 

Consider the first apparition of the star ; its 
effect on the Magi — wonder, doubts, fear, 
their determination to follow it. See the 
caravan traveling through the desert. The 
star disappears; then the Magi take human 
means — they inquire. It reappears and 
guides them to the Child and His Mother. 

The Star Was Miraculous, in Proof of 
Which Note 

Its extreme brilliancy. 

It was visible only to the Magi. 

It had alternate periods of movement and 

rest. 
It moved in a plane so low as to stand over 

the dwelling-place of the Holy Family. 

That Star Was God's Messenger. 

"It gave intelligence to those who saw it." 
(St. Leo.) 



The Epiphany Star 31 

Its appearance fulfilled a prophecy: "A 
star shall rise out of Jacob, and a scepter 
shall spring up from Israel." (Num. 
xxiv. 17.) 

It guided the Magi on their journey. 

It disappeared when human means of ob- 
taining information were at hand. 

It re-appeared when human means failed. 

In Following That Miraculous Star the 
Magi Manifested Their 

Detachment from earthly things. 
Earnestness in seeking the Redeemer. 
Firm faith in God's messenger. 
Confidence in its guidance. 
True love of God. 
Desire to do His holy will. 

Application : 

From this mystery, Christians may learn: 

To follow "the star" of faith and duty, 
even when it leads through desert paths. 

To hold on bravely when spiritual dark- 
ness overwhelms the soul. 

To give up all that earth holds dear in 
view of our salvation. 

To be "stars" ourselves, guiding earth's 
wanderers to "the Child and His 
Mother." 



32 Christmas Subjects 

12. THE PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN 
THE TEMPLE 

"They carried Him to Jerusalem, to present 
Him to the Lord. As it is written in the law 
of the Lord . . . and to offer a sacrifice, ac- 
cording as it is written in the law of the Lord, 
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons" 
(Luke ii. 22-24.) 

Introduction : 

Watch the Holy Family journeying on the 
road from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. The 
Child Jesus, just forty days old, sleeps in 
Mary's arms. Joseph carries the doves. 
They go in obedience to the command of 
God, to present the Child to the Lord. 

We May Leaen a Lesson of Self-Oblation 
From Jesus : 

He offers Himself most gladly. 

He sacrifices His reputation, passing as a 
sinful child of Adam. 

He accepts each and every sacrifice that 
awaits Him — poverty, toil, sufferings 
of all kinds, even to His bitter passion. 

From Mary: 

She offers her Jesus. 

She sacrificed her reputation (seeing that 
she was a virgin and sinless) . 



The Presentation in the Temple 33 

She accepted the sword of sorrow and the 
suspense of waiting for it to pierce her 
soul. 

Qualities of Their Oblation: It Was 
Given 

Lovingly ; hence it was 

Generous, no bargaining with God. 
Prompt, no delay in giving. 
Constant, no looking back with regret. 
Joyous, counting it an honor to be allowed 

to offer to God something that cost them 

suffering. 

What Does God Ask Us to Offer? 

Different things at different times, e.g., 
Our will, service, time. 
Our feelings and natural inclinations. 
Our likes and dislikes. 
Our body by physical pain. 
Our soul by moral, mental, or spiritual 
suffering. 

Application : 

Count it all joy when God deigns to ask us 
to offer Him something ourselves or to 
give up for His sake those dearest to us. 



34 Christmas Subjects 

13. HOLY SIMEON 

"There was a man in Jerusalem named 
Simeon; and this man was just and devout, 
waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the 
Holy Ghost was in him!' (Luke ii. 25.) 

Introduction: 

Consider the aged Simeon praying daily — as 
all good Jews prayed — for the coming of the 
Messias. His fervor prevailed and God 
promised that he should see the Redeemer. 

How God Praised Simeon : 

He who ever takes pleasure in the fidelity of 
His own. 

He was just; i.e., he possessed sanctifying 
grace, a gage of salvation. 

He was devout; i.e., God-fearing, assidu- 
ous in the service of Jehovah. 

He was waiting for the consolation of Is- 
rael; i.e., expecting to see Him. Sim- 
eon, like Daniel, was "a man of desires," 
and such desires come from God. 

Simeon's Reward: 

It was revealed that before dying he should 

see the Messias. 
He was inspired to go to the temple ("He 

came by the Spirit into the temple") when 

Joseph and Mary presented the Divine 

Infant. 



Holy Simeon 35 

The Holy Child was pointed out to him. 

He saw likewise Our Blessed Lady, to whom 
— in God's name — he foretold part of her 
mission. 

He was enlightened as to the future of the 
Holy Child ("a sign which shall be con- 
tradicted") — His greatness and sorrows 
— thus Simeon confirmed the angel's words 
to Mary concerning Jesus. 

Note Simeon's Devotion to the Holy 
Ghost: 

He was full of the Spirit. 
He obeyed the inspirations of the Spirit. 
He was detached from the things of earth 
and ready to be dismissed in peace. 

Application: 

Cultivate holy aspirations. 
Be faithful to the guidance of the Holy 
Ghost. 



36 Christmas Subjects 

14. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT 

"Arise, and take the Child and His Mother 
and fly into Egypt; and be there until I shall 
tell thee. For . . . Herod will seek the Child 
to destroy Him. Who arose and took the 
Child and His Mother by night and retired 
into Egypt. And he [Joseph] was there 
until the death of Herod! 9 (Matt. ii. 13, 14.) 

Introduction: 

Contemplate the scene: The Holy Family 
peacefully sleeping; the apparition of the 
angel to St. Joseph and the hurried depart- 
ure by night into Egypt. 

The Command Was a Trial of Faith. 

Could not God have shielded Jesus from 
Herod's agents, blinding them "so that 
they could not find the door" (Gen. xix. 
11) , even as the angels blinded the Sodom- 
ites? 

How were they to find sustenance in a 
heathen land among strangers? 

Was not the road dangerous — infested by 
robbers? 

"Until I shall tell thee." How long would 
that be? 

(But no questions of human prudence pre- 
vented their obedience.) 



The Flight into Egypt 37 

To Whom Was the Command Given? 
To St. Joseph, the lowest of the Holy Fam- 

Yet Mary obeys promptly, unquestioningly. 

Jesus' act of submission, "Lo, I come to do 
Thy will," extends to whatever His 
Heavenly Father ordains. 

The obedience of the Holy Family was con- 
stant: they remained in Egypt until bid- 
den by the angel to return. 

Application: 

From this mystery we may learn: 

To abandon ourselves to God's will. 

To support isolation, if God sees fit to im- 
pose it. 

To accept poverty and privations from 
God's hand. 

That God's ways are not as ours, and are 
often inexplicable. 

As Jesus came with His cross to Mary 
and Joseph, so He comes to us. 

The presence of Jesus lightens sorrow and 
trials as the Divine Child was the joy of 
Mary and Joseph during their exile in 
Egypt. 



38 Christmas Subjects 

15. OUR FATHER'S BUSINESS 

"Did you not know that I must be about 
My Father's business?" (Luke ii. 49,) 

Introduction : 

Consider briefly where, by whom, to whom, 
and on what occasion these words were said. 
They teach us a sublime lesson; viz., the obli- 
gation laid upon us of doing our Father's 
business before all things. 

Note the Energy of Our Lord's Wobds: 

"I must be about My Father's business." 
Constantly we find this energetic ex- 
pression, and each time Jesus says, "I 
must." He refers to some work for 
God and the salvation of men ; e.g. : 

"I must work the works of Him that sent 
Me, whilst it is day." (John ix. 4.) 

"I must preach the kingdom of God, for 
therefore am I sent." (Luke iv. 43.) 

"I must abide in thy house." (lb. xix. 5.) 

"Other sheep I have . . . them also I 
must bring." (John x. 16.) 

"The Son of man must be lifted up." 
(Ibid.iii.14.) 

"The Son of man must suffer many 
things." (Mark viii. 31.) 
Truly His "meat" was to do the will of the 
Father and to perfect His works. 
(John iv. 34.) 



Our Father's Business 39 

We, too, Must Be about Oue Father's 
Business: 

Both as regards our personal sanctification 

and the salvation of our neighbor. 
We must labor continually at our sanctifica- 
tion in spite of 

Difficulties and obstacles. 

Natural indolence and deceptions. 

Weariness and isolation. 

Human respect. 

Repeated failures. 
As regards our neighbor, it is our Father's 
business that we should 

Educate and train our children for God. 

Supervise those under our charge. 

Give our neighbors a good example. 

Minister unto them for Christ's sake. 

Bear with their failings. 

To Accomplish this Twofold Woek, We 
Need: 

A firm will. 

A lif e of union with Our Lord. 

Fervent prayer. 

Constant fidelity to the duty of each hour. 

Application : 

How far are we about our Father's business? 
Do we make it the chief object of our lives? 



40 Christmas Subjects 

16. THE SILENCE OF MARY 

"His Mother kept all these words in her 
heart" ( Luke ii. 51.) 

Introduction: 

If "the Lord God doth nothing without re- 
vealing His secret to His servants the 
prophets" (Amos iii. 7) , can we wonder that 
He revealed so much to the Mother of Jesus? 
She knew that it was a good thing "to hide 
the secret of a king" (Tob. xii. 7) , but "hon- 
orable to reveal and confess the works of 
God" (Ibid.) ; and, in fitting time, Mary 
knew how to do both. 

Words That Mary Kept in Her Heart: 

Those of 

The angel Gabriel. 
St. Joseph. 
Holy Simeon. 
The Magi. 
Her Divine Son. 

Why Mary Kept Silence: 

Because she was truly 

Loyal — respecting the King's secret. 
Humble — hence she kept silence as re- 
gards the 
Great privileges conferred upon her. 
Glory of her Child. 
Patient — waiting for Jesus to manifest 
Himself. 



The Silence of Mary 41 

Strong — only such souls can be silent con- 
cerning joys or sorrows. 

What Reward Did Our Lady Receive for 
Keeping Silence? 

She merited a more abundant communica- 
tion of the secrets of God, for she was 
greater than all the prophets to whom He 
revealed His counsels. 

She obtained a deeper insight into their 
meaning. 

Under What Circumstances Did Mary 
Keep Silence? 
Under the most trying; e.g.: 

When her reputation as a virgin was at 
stake. 
(It was God, not Mary, who explained 
the mystery of the Incarnation to St. 
Joseph.) 
When men treated Jesus with indifference 
or insult (as in Bethlehem and in the 
synagogue at Nazareth). 
When Jesus hung upon the cross, not one 
word said by Mary is recorded. 

Application : 

We must learn from Mary's example 

"To keep the secrets of the king" when 

duty or prudence counsels it. 
"To reveal and confess the works of God" 
when gratitude bids us reveal them — as 
Mary praised Him in her Magnificat. 



42 Christmas Subjects 

17. JESUS' BOYHOOD 

"He went down with them and came to Naz- 
areth and was subject to them'' (Luke ii. 
51.) 

Introduction: 

In this short sentence the years of Jesus' 
boyhood and youth are summed up: He 
dwelt at Nazareth and was subject to Mary 
and Joseph. 

Jesus, the Incarnate Word, Obeys His 
Own Creatures; yet, 

He possesses infinite wisdom. 
He depends on none. 
He has the most noble will. 
These creatures hold all from Him. 
Their wills are but human. 
Their knowledge is imperfect. 

How Does He Obey? 

In all that they ask of Him as His parents. 
In the performance of menial work. 
With exterior reverence. 
Seeing God in the creature's commands — 

their power over Him is given them "from 

above." 

Why Does He thus Obey? 

Because 

God has so willed it. 



Jesus' Boyhood 43 

He willed that He be made like unto His 
brethren in all except sin. 

He could thus glorify God upon earth. 

He thereby teaches us in what true great- 
ness consists. 

He teaches us how to obey. 

Application : 

How do we look upon obedience? Do we 

esteem this virtue? 
How do we practise it? 
If in command, are we prudent in giving 

orders? 



44 Christmas Subjects 

18. THE HOLY FAMILY IN NAZARETH 

"They returned into Galilee, to their city 
Nazareth. . . . And Jesus advanced in wis- 
dom and age and grace with God and man." 
(Luke ii. 39-52.) 

Introduction : 

Contemplate the lowly home of the Holy- 
Family. There Jesus passed more than 
twenty years of His human life. That 
home was dear to Him, even as our homes 
are to us. 

Who Dwelt under That Roof? 

St. Joseph, a just man, one after God's own 

heart. 
Mary, the Immaculate Mother of God. 
Jesus, the Son of man and the Word of God. 
Never before nor since was such a household 

gathered together. 

Consider Them in Prayer: 

Daily they recited the customary Jewish 

prayers. 
They attended the synagogue services on the 

Sabbath. 
They "went every year to Jerusalem, at the 

solemn day of the Pasch." (Luke ii. 41.) 
Jesus ever communed — even as He worked 

— with His Father. 
Mary kept Jesus' words in her heart and 

pondered over them. 
St. Joseph led a life of interior union with 

his God. 



The Holy Family in Nazareth 45 

Consider Their Progress in Holiness: 

Jesus daily manifested His wisdom more 
and more. 

Mary ever rose to higher degrees of perfec- 
tion, owing to her correspondence with 
grace. 

To Joseph, the ''just man," we may apply 
the words: "The path of the just, as a 
shining light, goeth forward and increas- 
eth even to perfect day." (Prov. iv. 18.) 

See the Holy Family at Work: 

St. Joseph, toiling in his workshop. 
Our Lady, occupied with household duties. 
Jesus, working, studying, rendering service 
according to His age. 

See Them in Their Relations with Their 
Neighbors 

(Who knew not who dwelt in their midst) : 
Note the charity of the Holy Family in 

thought, word, and deed. 
Note their patience with human frailty, 

ignorance, and defects. 
Note their readiness to forgive slights or 

insults. 

Application: 

How far do we model our homes upon that 
of Nazareth? 

Do we cultivate respect for authority, mu- 
tual forbearance, fraternal charity? 



LENTEN SUBJECTS 

19. STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS 
(Sexagesima Sunday) 

"There was given me a sting of my flesh, an 
angel of Satan, to buffet me. For which thing, 
thrice I besought the Lord that it might depart 
from me. And He said to me: My grace is 
sufficient for thee; for power is made perfect 
in infirmity. . . . when I am weak, then am I 
powerful/' (2 Cor. xii. 7-10.) 

Introduction: 

Note the connnection between the Epistle 
and the Gospel for this Sunday. St. Paul's 
record of how the good seed bore fruit in 
him, and the Parable of the Sower. 

Contrast Two Incidents in St. Paul's 
Life: 

The vision in which he was caught up into 
Paradise and "heard secret words." (2 
Cor. xii. 4.) 
Satan's emissary buffeting him. 
Thus, in the Christian's life, 

Temptations follow consolations, even as 
for Christ Gethsemani followed Tha- 
bor. 

St. Paul Prayed and Our Lord Answered 
Him. 

God always hears our prayers. 

46 



Strength in Weakness 47 

He gives what we ask or something better. 
His assistance does not dispense us from the 

conflict — it sustains us, enabling us to 

fight on. 
He would have us cling firmly to Him. 

(Cf. Those saved from a sinking vessel 

by the rocket-line or breeches-buoy.) 

By the Grace of God We — Like St. Paul 
— Can Come to Glory in Our Infirm- 
ities. 

Then "the power of Christ" will dwell in us. 

Our souls will be good, "very good," ground, 

in which the seeds of all virtues are 

Planted by God. 

Watered by the Sacraments. 

Cultivated by our efforts. 

Enabled to bring forth fruit in patience. 

Application: 

How do we accept trials and temptations? 

Are we courageous or cowardly? 

Do we count on God's grace, which never 

fails us? 
Do we cling to the Blessed Sacrament? 



48 Lenten Subjects 

20. ON KEEPING LENT 

"With fear and trembling work out your sal- 
vation. For it is God who worketh in you, 
both to will and to accomplish, according to His 
good will. And do ye all things without mur- 
muring s and hesitations." (Phil. ii. 12, 14.) 

Introduction : 

Picture some miners buried in a mine trying 
to work out some passage or means of escape. 
Life is at stake and they are in earnest, work- 
ing diligently and not counting the cost. 

The Injunction: Woek Out Your Sal- 
vation. 

Work is hard, painful, even crucifying. 

Each must work out salvation for himself. 

Salvation is the one thing that matters — the 
one thing necessary — which cannot be said 
of riches, health, success, friends, and all 
men hold dear. 

Work with Fear, i.e. : 

With distrust of self, of our human frailty 
and inconstancy. 

With firm confidence in God and in His 
grace. Cf. "Trust perfectly in the 
grace which is offered you." ( 1 Pet. i. 13. ) 

With fear and reverence, because we are co- 
operating with God, who "worketh" in us 
and with us. 



On Keeping Lent 49 

Because we need that grace, both "to will 

and to accomplish" any work profitable 

unto salvation. 
If we fail to work out our salvation, but one 

alternative remains — eternal death. 
Man has but one life in which to work out 

his salvation — night follows "when no 

man can work." 

Work with Trembling; i.e., with 

Physical discomfort ; the body which has co- 
operated in our past sins must suffer. 

These bodies have to be purified, as well as 
the soul. 

We have no absolute assurance of salvation 
until we actually obtain it, though God 
gives us many gages. 

We Must Work with God, Who Fur- 
nishes the Means, e.g.: 

Our natural gifts and endowments. 
Our daily duties to fulfil for Him. 
Our trials and sorrows — interior and exte- 
rior. 
The supernatural helps we need. 

Application: 

Lent is a particularly favorable time of sal- 
vation. 

This Lent may be our last. 

We shall have to give an account to God for 
lost opportunities. 



50 Lenten Subjects 

21. "COME APART AND REST A LITTLE" 

"Come apart into a desert place and rest a 
little. For there were many coming and go- 
ing, and they had not so much as time to eat!' 
(Mark vi. 81.) 

Introduction : 

The apostles had been passing through stir- 
ring and busy times — their first mission, with 
its marvelous experiences ; the martyrdom of 
the Baptist; the preparation for the Pasch; 
and the arrival of the pilgrim bands. Then 
Jesus invited them "to rest a little." Thus, 
too, He invites us during Lent, a mission, or 
a retreat. 

Why Jesus Invites Us to "Come Apart": 

That we may be at leisure to listen to His 

voice and speak with Him. 
Because we need periods of rest from 
The cares of life, 
The pleasures of life, 
The distractions of life — "many coming 

and going." 
The responsibilities of the care of others 
(to a certain extent). 
We need time to take our spiritual food. 

How Can We Profit by Our Lord's Gra- 
cious Invitation? 

>By withdrawing from worldly pleasures. 



"Come Apart and Rest a Little" 51 

By simplicity of life — in food, dress, expen- 
diture. 

By self-denial in imitation of Jesus. 

By acts of charity to the poor for His sake 
(alms or personal service) . 

By more prayer, greater interior recollec- 
tion and concentration on eternal truths. 

By great fidelity to the inspirations of the 
Holy Ghost. * 

Consider What a Privilege It Is to Be 
Thus Called Apart. 

He loves to have His own with Him. 

He has something special to say to our souls. 

This sojourn apart with Him helps on our 

sanctification and salvation. 
It imparts a holy joy and peace to the soul 

and helps us to live for heaven. 

Application: 

Accept joyously the invitation to rest awhile 
with Our Saviour. 

To "go apart" daily with Him by devout 
visits to the Blessed Sacrament and fre- 
quent communion. 

To keep Lent devoutly by extra prayer and 
abstinence from worldly pleasures. 



52 Lenten Subjects 

22. THE FORTY DAYS IN THE DESERT 

"There came a voice from heaven: Thou 
art My Beloved Son . . . And immediately 
the Spirit drove Him out into the desert" 
(Marki. 11, 12.) 

Introduction : 

Note the contrast. God the Father had 
just honored and glorified Jesus by pro- 
claiming Him publicly as His "Beloved 
Son," and instantly the Spirit impelled 
Jesus to retire to the desert. Humiliation 
follows glorification in this mystery, 

Jesus Seeks Solitude, "the Country of 
Strong Souls." 

There, He prepares Himself for the great 
work which awaited Him; namely, 
His public life and self -revelation as the 

Messias. 
His passion and death, to be followed by 
His glorious resurrection. 

In the Desert Jesus Prays. 

He adores His Heavenly Father. 
He accepts unreservedly His holy will. 
He intercedes for all the children of men. 
He prays "with tears" in these "days of His 

flesh," and "was heard for His reverence." 

(Heb. v. 7.) 



The Forty Days in the Desert 53 

In the Desert Jesus Suffers Physically. 

From hunger. 
From thirst. 
From cold and heat. 
From weariness. 

In the Desert Jesus Suffers Mentally 
and Morally. 

He must have felt the loneliness. 

He endured the humiliation of being tempted 
by Satan — one of His own creatures. 

These temptations were real, and propor- 
tioned to the strength of Our Lord as 
man, hence far surpassing in violence 
those which assail men. 

Application : 

By enduring temptation, Our Lord 
Became like unto us. 

Merited for us the grace to conquer Satan. 
Teaches us to use the word of God as a 
weapon against Satan. 



54 Lenten Subjects 

23. OUR LORD'S TEMPTATION IN 
THE DESERT 

"Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost, re- 
turned from the Jordan and was led by the 
Spirit into the desert for the space of forty 
days, and was tempted by the devil" (Luke 
iv. 1,2.) 

Introduction : 

Consider Jesus alone in the desert ; St. Mark 
refers to the beasts that prowled around him. 
Day and night He fasts and prays. Satan 
dares to approach and tempt the Incarnate 
Word, though the arch-fiend "hath nothing" 
in the sinless Son of God and of man. 

The Temptation or Jesus Is for Us (1) an 
Encouragement; (2) a Lesson; (3) a 
Warning. 

An Encouragement, Seeing That 

He was tempted "in all things like as we 
are." (Heb. iv. 15.) 

He experienced the violence and the attrac- 
tiveness of the course suggested. 

He knows what courage it needs to resist. 

He underwent the humiliation of being 
tempted. 

A Lesson, Teaching Us That 

Temptations are permitted by God — or even 
sent. 



Our Lord's Temptation in the Desert 55 

They attack even God's fervent servants. 

They are not in themselves sins, 

God's angels watch over us during the com- 
bat. 

We can overcome them by His grace. 

By combating them we glorify God. 

They are inevitable as long as we are here 
upon earth. 

They merit for us an eternal reward — if re- 
sisted. 

A Warning 

Not to underrate Satan's power. 

Not to run risks, to presume on our own 

strength. 
Not to parley with Satan, but to resist 

promptly. 
That we must 

Count upon God. 

Exercise our will power. 

Realize the utility of temptations. 

Be vigilant. 

Application : 

How do we act when tempted? 

What means should we take in order to re- 
sist bravely? 

What special temptations are we subjected 
to? 

Do we run into the occasions of sin? 



56 Lenten Subjects 

24. "TEMPTED LIKE AS WE ARE" 

"The prince of this world cometh, and in Me 
he hath not any thing/' (John xiv. 30.) 

Introduction : 

The life of man is one continual warfare. 
He is tried by God for a good purpose, by 
Satan and his agents for an evil one. 
Hence, Jesus, being made like unto us in all 
things — sin alone excepted — was tried by 
God and tempted by the devil. As Jesus 
had no evil inclinations, He could not be 
tempted interiorly. 

The Devil Tempted Jesus. 

Satan wanted to win that Soul, which had 

always resisted his temptations. 
He tried various avenues, hoping in the end 
to succeed; e.g., the three consecutive 
and different temptations in the desert. 
Satan tempted Jesus directly. 
By direct attacks in the desert. 
By specious promises: "All these will I 
give Thee, if falling down Thou wilt 
adore me." (Matt. iv. 9.) 
In Gethsemani. 
During the passion. 
Satan tempted Jesus through human agents. 
Friends 

"Manifest Thyself to the world." 
"This be far from Thee." 



"Tempted Like as We Are" 57 

Foes 

"Shew us a sign." 

"Is it lawful to pay tribute?" 

"Come down from the cross." 

God Tried His Beloved Son. 

Because Jesus had taken the place of the 
sinner. 

Jesus had to be made like unto His breth- 
ren, who must endure temptation. 

Jesus willed to merit for us the grace to 
resist temptation. 

God desired to teach us how to endure 
temptation now — men are tried by God, 
hence Jesus was tried. 

How Jesus Was Tried by His Heavenly 
Father: 

By the terrible conditions of man's Redemp- 
tion. 

By the long years of waiting. 

By the withdrawal of all spiritual consola- 
tion — in Gethsemani and on the cross. 

Application : 

Count on Our Lord when tempted, for He 
has promised : 
"I will also keep thee from the hour of 
temptation." (Apoc. iii. 10.) In the 
thick of the combat "underneath are the 
everlasting arms" (Deut. xxxiii. 27) of 
our God. 



58 Lenten Subjects 

25. CHRIST'S TEACHING ON SELF- 
DENIAL 

"If any man will follow Me, let him deny 
himself and take up his cross and follow Me." 
(Mark viii. 34.) "If any man minister to Me, 
let him follow Me; and where I am, there also 
shall My minister be; . . . him will My Fa- 
ther honor" (John xii. 26.) 

Introduction: 

St. Peter's temerity called forth the first 
text quoted above. Jesus had predicted His 
passion and Peter presumed "to rebuke 
Him." Then Jesus declared that not only 
He, but all His followers, must carry the 
cross. The second passage was spoken in 
the temple in Holy Week. By "minister" 
we must understand "servant" or "follower." 

Consider Jesus' Precept of Self-Denial : 

It involves active renunciation, "taking up," 
"following," etc.; likewise passive, bearing 
the cross laid upon us. 

These words were addressed to "the multi- 
tude together with His disciples" whom 
He "called together" that He might teach 
them. (Mark viii. 34.) 

Looking down the vista of the future ages, 
He saw, too, all who would follow Him in 
that long procession making for heaven. 



Christ's Teaching on Self-Denial 59 

All who have been signed with His cross in 
holy Baptism are pledged to renounce the 
devil, the world, and the flesh. 

What Reply Does a Generous Soul Give 
to Our Blessed Lord's Invitation? 

That of "a certain scribe, who came and said 
to Him: Master, I will follow Thee 
whithersoever Thou shalt go." (Matt, 
viii. 19.) 

That of Azarias "in the midst of the fur- 
nace": . . . "Now we follow Thee with 
all our heart, and we fear Thee and seek 
Thy face." (Dan. iii. 41.) 

Reflections Concerning Self-Denial: 

God requires our free-will service. 

Jesus has placed Himself at the head of the 

long procession of cross-bearers. 
Those who follow Him nearest console Him 
in His sufferings — their fidelity was 
foreseen by Him. 
Mortification is a very real source of joy, for 
It frees us from the slavery of sin. 
It makes us more like our Master. 
It is a way of proving our love. 
It increases our merits. 

Application: 

Do we carry our cross constantly, gener- 
ously? 
Do we realize how precious the cross is? 



60 Lenten Subjects 

26. MORTIFICATION, AN OBLIGATION 
FOR ALL CHRISTIANS 

"Unless yon shall do penance, you shall all 
likewise perish" (Luke xiii. 3.) "If any 
man will follow Me, let him deny himself and 
take up his cross and follow Me" (Mark viii. 
34.) "Mortify, therefore, your members 
which are upon the earth." (Col. iii. 5.) 
"They that are Christ's have crucified their 
flesh, with the vices and concupiscences" 
(Gal. v. 24.) 

Introduction : 

The effect of military discipline on the body : 
carriage and health- — and character. This 
is the result of enduring hardships, of pre- 
paring men to face the enemy when the time 
comes. Apply this to mortification. 

Warnings and Injunctions : 

Our Lord's words are emphatic. 

St. Paul re-echoes His Master's teaching. 

As each penitential season or fast comes 
round, the Church reminds us of this obli- 
gation. 

Motives for Practising Mortification: 

Only on this condition can we be followers 

of Christ. 
Unless we mortify ourselves we can not keep 

God's commandments — we become slaves 

of sin. 



Mortification 61 

We have to atone for past offences. 
Mortification brings fresh graces, which 
have their fruition in glory. 

When is Mortification a Duty? 

When necessary for the avoidance of sin. 

In order to obtain some special graces, 
prayer and fasting are required. 

To avoid returning to faults which we for- 
merly committed, of which perhaps we 
were the slaves. 

When imposed by the Church. 

Practices of Mortification: 

Keep the fasts and abstinence imposed by 
the Church. 

Keep our senses under due control: guard- 
ing our eyes, ears, tongue, etc. 

Curb undue curiosity — lest we learn evil. 

Control the imagination by reason, common 
sense, and faith. 

Renounce intellectual pleasures which are 
dangerous. 

Sacrifice our will by obedience. Learn to 
yield (when no principle of duty is in- 
volved) for the sake of peace. 

Bear with the imperfections of others, as a 
penance for our own. 

Application : 

Wherein are we most self-indulgent? 
What immortification habitually weakens 
our spiritual life? 



62 Lenten Subjects 

27. JESUS, OUR EXEMPLAR IN PRAYER 



€< 



€ As He was . . . praying, when He ceased, 
one of His disciples said to Him: Lord, teach 
us to pray." (Luke xi. 1.) 

Introduction : 

St. Luke alone — in his "Gospel of Prayer" 
— records the petition of this disciple. This 
incident, according to an ancient tradition, 
took place on the western slope of Mount 
Olivet. A chapel marks the spot and in 
the cloisters the Our Father is written in 
thirty languages. The disciple waited till 
Jesus had ceased, for the Jews were taught 
not to interrupt their prayer to salute a king, 
nor even to remove a serpent that had coiled 
round the supplicant's foot. 

When Did Our Divine Master Pray? 

As soon as His human soul was created. 

As a Child. 

When He was submitting to be baptized. 

In the desert for forty days. 

Whole nights upon the mountains ; e.g. : 

Before choosing the apostles. (Luke vi.) 

After feeding the five thousand. (Mark 
vi.) 

Before the Transfiguration. (Luke ix.) 
Frequently He prayed in public, e.g., 

On the return of the seventy disciples. 
(Ibid. x. 21.) 

At the grave of Lazarus. (John xi. 41.) 



Jesus, Our Exemplar in Prayer 63 

In the temple in Holy Week. (Ibid. xii. 
27.) 

In the Cenacle. (Ibid. xvii. Iff.) 

In Gethsemani. (Luke xxii. 41-43.) 

On the cross. 

And thus repeatedly "in the days of His 
flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offer- 
ing up prayers and supplications to 
Him that was able to save Him from 
death, was heard for His reverence." 

Jesus Prayed thus Because as 

Man, He needed strength and illumination. 
Man, His soul had need to commune with 

God. 
Redeemer, He prayed for those He came to 

save, and those who neglect prayer. 
Master, He taught His disciples to pray. 

He Would Have His Disciples Imitate 

His Prayeb, by Their 
Fervor. 
Reverence. 
Assiduity. 
Unselfishness, remembering the needs of 

others. 
In due order, putting petitions for God's 

glory before asking favors for themselves. 

Application: 

Frequently beg Him to teach us to pray. 
Diligently to learn this "science of the 
saints." 



64 Lenten Subjects 

28. JESUS' STEADFAST PURPOSE 

"When the days of His assumption were ac- 
complishing . . . He steadfastly set His face 
to go to Jerusalem" ( Luke ix. 51. ) "Look- 
ing on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, 
who, having joy set before Him, endured the 
cross, despising the shame, and now sitteth on 
the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 
xii. 2.) 

Introduction : 

See Jesus leading the little band: "They 
were in the way going up to Jerusalem ; and 
Jesus went before them and they were as- 
tonished and following were afraid." 
(Mark x. 32.) They were awed by the 
solemnity of His demeanor, and His quick- 
ened pace. Then Jesus, turning and rejoin- 
ing them, spoke to the Twelve of "the things 
that should befall Him" and gave clear de- 
tails concerning His passion, which "Gen- 
tiles" were to inflict upon Him. 

What Motives Upheld Our Lord in the 
Face of His Passion? 

Love for the souls of men. 

The glory of God. 

The joy and reward set before Him as man. 

He Steadfastly Set His Face ; i.e., 

He deliberately accepted all that He knew 
must come upon Him. 



Jesus 3 Steadfast Purpose 65 

This steadfast purpose was seen in His car- 
riage, demeanor, and language. 

By His strong will power, He held His nat- 
ural repugnance for suffering in due con- 
trol. 

Why on this Particular Occasion Did He 
thus Steadfastly Resolve to Go to 
Jerusalem? 

Because it was His last journey thither; 

His passion was at hand; He had but six 

more months to live as man upon earth. 
Because He desired to evangelize in the cities 

through which He passed for the last 

time. 
Because He ardently longed for the hour of 

His passion; He was "straitened until it 

was accomplished." 

Application : 

We are called to make steadfast resolutions 

in face of suffering. 
We can do so with God's help. 
We, too, should suffer, keeping the joy set 
before us in view ; e.g. : 
The glory of God. 
The salvation of our souls. 
The happiness of heaven. 



66 Lenten Subjects 

29. ON THE WAY TO JERUSALEM 

"They were in the way going up to Jerusa- 
lem; and Jesus went before them. And they 
were astonished and following were afraid/' 
(Mark x. 32,) 

Introduction: 

Contemplate Jesus leading His apostles; 
astonished and afraid they follow at some 
little distance. He goes to Jerusalem for 
the last time. 

"They Were in the Way Going up to 
Jerusalem/' 

They: i.e., Jesus and His apostles. Cf. 
"Behold, I am with you all days." 
(Matt, xxviii. 20.) 

Were on their way. Not holding back, 
keeping close to their Master when He 
spoke with them. 

Going up. The Christian life is an ascen- 
sion, hence a tiring journey. 

To Jerusalem. "The city of peace." 
To the Temple of God. 
Our goal, too, is the heavenly Jerusalem, 
the Temple not made with hands, 

"Jesus Went Before" : 

In the ardor of His desire to suffer. 

To be an Example inciting us to follow 

Him. 
To keep the Pasch in obedience to the Law. 



On the Way to Jerusalem 67 

Consider the Apostles' Dispositions. They 
were 

Astonished 

At Jesus' predictions of His passion. 
By their ignorance of God's plan of re- 
demption, which shattered all their false 
conceptions of a Messianic reign of tem- 
poral glory. 
Afraid 

Fearing danger for themselves. 
Fearing danger for their loved Master. 
Yet for the time, at least, in spite of "fears 
within," they followed Jesus. 

Their Reward: 

They were privileged to share His triumph 

on Palm Sunday. 
They could rejoice later at having been 
Witnesses of His sacred passion. 
Witnesses to His Resurrection and As- 
cension. 

Application : 

The holy season of Lent and every hour of 
the Christian's life should find him 
With his Divine Lord. 
Following closely in His footsteps. 
Going up to the heavenly Jerusalem. 



68 Lenten Subjects 

30. MINISTERING WOMEN 

"He traveled through the cities and towns, 
preaching and evangelizing the kingdom of 
God; and the twelve with Him. And certain 
women who had been healed of evil spirits and 
infirmities, Mary, who is called Magdalen . . • 
and Joanna . . . and Susanna, and many 
others who ministered to Him of their sub- 
stance" (Luke viii. 1-3.) 

Inteoduction : 

Jesus had need of and accepted the services 
of women. The early Church had her con- 
secrated virgins, widows, and deaconesses — 
who, like Tabitha, "ministered to the saints" 
— and her Religious Orders for women. 
But without leaving their homes for the se- 
clusion of the cloister, all Christian women 
are privileged to minister to the Lord Jesus 
in those who represent Him. 

Some Women Who Ministered to Jesus: 

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Model of 
all Christian wives and mothers. 

Mary "of Cleophas" (or "of James"), who 
devoted the years of her widowhood to 
God and stood by the cross. 

Mary Magdalen the penitent, who loved 
much because she had been forgiven much. 

Salome, the mother of James and John. 
She, too, stood by the cross with Our 
Lady and St. Mary Magdalen. 



Ministering Women 69 

Joanna and Susanna, who showed their grat- 
itude for some special deliverance from 
disease or evil spirits by serving their Sa- 
viour. Joanna, the wife of Herod's stew- 
ard, was a woman of good position, who 
gave up ease and comforts to follow Jesus. 

Martha, the sister of Lazarus, who was ever 
ready to receive Jesus and welcome Him, 
together with His apostles, to her roof and 
table. 

These devoted women and "many others" 
offered to their Lord their personal services, 
their alms, their homes. 

Application : 

We need not envy these ministering women, 
seeing that, in multiple ways, we can 
minister to Our Lord: 

By faithfully discharging our duties to- 
ward those committed to our care by 
Him. 

By helping with good works, according to 
our power. 

Thus we shall merit the praise given to 
Mary Magdalen: "She hath done 
what she could." 

Thus shall we give Our Lord pleasure and 
something to remember: "For God is 
not unjust, that He should forget your 
work and the love which you have shown 
in His name, you who have ministered 
and do minister to the saints." 



70 Lenten Subjects 

31. THE TRANSFIGURATION 

"Jesus taketh with Him Peter and James 
and John, and leadeth them up into a high 
mountain apart by themselves, and was trans- 
figured before them!' (Mark ix. 1.) "And 
whilst He prayed, the shape of His counte- 
nance was altered and His raiment became 
white and glittering. And behold two men 
were talking with Him. And they were Moses 
and Elias, appearing in majesty. And they 
spoke of His decease that He should accom- 
plish in Jerusalem." (Luke ix. 29-31.) 

Introduction : 

The traditional scene of the Transfiguration 
is Mount Thabor. There, on this isolated 
mountain, three apostles were allowed to see 
something of the glory of their Master, and 
heard Moses and Elias bear testimony to the 
decease of their Master in Jerusalem. 

Note the Incidents in Detail: 

Jesus praying on the mountain. 

His sudden Transfiguration, for a brief mo- 
ment. He partially raised the veil which 
concealed His divinity. 

The bright light aroused the apostles. 

Moses, the Lawgiver; and Elias, the 
Prophet, confirmed Our Lord's words 
concerning His decease. 

God the Father proclaimed Jesus to be His 
beloved Son, and bade the apostles hear 
Him. 



The Transfiguration 71 

Examine the Conduct of the Thbee Apos- 
tles: 

They slept while He prayed, while the man- 
ifestation of His glory was taking place. 

On awaking, the sight of that glory filled 
them with fear. 

They listened to the conversation, so strange 
a subject in the midst of such glory! 

Peter proposed that they should build three 
tabernacles and remain there, but "he 
knew not what he said." 

As they lay prostrate on hearing God's voice, 
Jesus touched them and, looking up, they 
saw "Jesus only." The glimpse of heaven 
had faded away from their sight ; but never 
did Peter, James and John forget that 
they had been eye-witnesses of His maj- 
esty when they were with Him "in that 
holy mount." (2 Pet. i. 18.) 

Application : 

God calls all men to hear His beloved Son. 

The Transfiguration was intended to 
strengthen the apostles, to prepare them 
for the awful spectacle of Calvary. Thus 
joys prepare us to bear sorrows. 

We must learn to pray with Jesus. 

In prayer, men are transfigured in a certain 
sense; they become more Christ-like. 

It is good to learn to see "Jesus only" in all 
the events of our daily life, to see the 
Creator in the creatures. 



72 Lenten Subjects 

32. PREDICTIONS OF THE PASSION— I 

"He began to teach them that the Son of 
man must suffer many things" (Mark viii. 
81.) 

Introduction : 

Such teaching ran counter to all their falsely 
preconceived idea of a Messias who should 
crush the enemies of Israel, set them free, 
and inaugurate a glorious reign upon earth. 

How Did Jesus Reveal His Passion? At 

first, obscurely, then clearly. 
Obscure allusions: 

St. John the Baptist revealed Jesus as the 
Lamb of God taking away the sin of the 
world. (John i. 29.) 

At the first Pasch of His public life, Jesus 
said to the Jews: "Destroy this tem- 
ple ; and in three days I will raise it up." 
(Ibid. ii. 19.) 

He said to Nicodemus : "As Moses lifted 
up the serpent in the desert, so must the 
Son of man be lifted up." ( lb. iii. 14. ) 

At the banquet in Levi's house, Jesus said : 
"The days will come when the bride- 
groom shall be taken away." 

At Capharnaum, He spoke of "the bread" 
that was to be given "for the life of the 
world"; i.e., His sacred flesh. (John 
vi. 52.) 
Clear predictions: 

After St. Peter's confession of faith: 



Predictions of the Passion — I 73 

"He began to teach them, that the Son 
of man must suffer many things, and be 
killed, and after three days rise again." 

As He came down from the Mountain of 
the Transfiguration, He said: "Tell 
the vision to no man till the Son of man 
shall be risen from the dead." (Matt, 
xvii. 9.) 

When journeying secretly through Gali- 
lee: "The Son of man shall be be- 
trayed into the hands of men, and they 
shall kill Him . . . and He shall rise 
again the third day." (Mark ix. 30.) 

On His last journey to Jerusalem, He 
speaks even more openly: "We go up 
to Jerusalem and the Son of man shall 
be betrayed to the chief priests . . . 
scribes and ancients . . . they shall 
condemn Him to death . . . and de- 
liver Him to the Gentiles, and they 
shall mock Him, spit on Him, scourge 
Him, and crucify Him, and the third 
day He shall rise again." (Matt, xx; 
Mark x; Luke xviii.) 

Application : 

Learn something of the tenderness of Jesus, 
who thus so gently prepared His disciples 
for the awful tragedy of Calvary. 

Learn how He loved man, not only dying 
for him but bearing the prolonged agony 
of waiting for His passion to be accom- 
plished. 



74 Lenten Subjects 

33. PREDICTIONS OF THE PASSION— II 

The apostles "understood not the word; and 
they were afraid to ask Him" ( Mark ix. 31. ) 

Effect of These Predictions on the Dis- 
ciples : 
From the four Evangelists' records, we 

learn that 
The disciples were sorely perplexed. 

"This word was hidden from them." 
They feared to question Jesus — feared for 

Him — feared for themselves. 
They were sorrowful: "Because I have 

spoken these things to you, sorrow hath 

filled your heart. 5 ' (John xvi. 6.) 

Some Proofs of Their Inability to Grasp 

Our Lord's Meaning: 
St. Peter's rebuking Our Lord and trying 

to dissuade Him from suffering. 
Their "questioning together what that 

should mean, when He shall be risen from 

the dead." (Mark ix. 9.) 
Their lack of faith in Jesus' Resurrection. 
Their question on Ascension Day: "Lord, 

wilt Thou at this time restore again the 

kingdom to Israel?" (Acts i. 6.) 

Why Were the Apostles so Dull of Com- 
prehension? 

Because the doctrine of the passion was so 
totally opposed to 
Their interpretation of the Old Testa- 
ment predictions. 



Predictions of the Passion — II 75 

The teaching of the Jewish rabbis, who 
set forth a Messias who should be im- 
mortal and reign gloriously. 

Their own desires for a temporal Mes- 
sianic kingdom and places of honor 
therein. 

Their natural abhorrence for suffering and 
humiliations. 

Finally, they loved their Master and 
dreaded being separated from Him. 
Probably they were too excited, by the events 
of the few months which preceded the 
passion, to listen calmly to their Mas- 
ter's words. 
They evidently understood Our Lord's 
words as an obscure prophecy, to be in- 
terpreted metaphorically. 

Application : 

From the disciples' conduct we may learn 
that a special grace is needed to enable 
us to accept that which is 
Repugnant to human nature. 
Opposed to our natural inclinations. 
Contrary to what we have looked forward 
to with expectation. 
Yet Our Lord gives that grace if we pray 
for it. The apostles, after the descent 
of the Holy Ghost, understood the ne- 
cessity of suffering and gloried in their 
tribulations for His Name's sake. 
We must imitate them by accepting humili- 
ations. 



76 Lenten Subjects 

34. JESUS OF NAZARETH WAS 
PASSING BY 

"A certain blind man sat by the wayside, 
begging. And when he heard the multitude 
passing by, he asked what this meant. And 
they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was pass- 
ing by/' (Luke xviii. 35-37.) 

Introduction : 

Consider this incident as recorded by the 
Gospels. See Jesus on the road from 
Ephrem to Jericho. He descends into the 
plain of Jericho with His disciples. The 
two cities of Jericho — the ancient and the 
modern — stand opposite each other. St. 
Matthew speaks of two blind beggars sit- 
ting by the wayside. St. Mark and St. 
Luke only mention one, Bartimeus, prob- 
ably the better known. 

Jesus' Condescension and Mercy: 

He inspired those beggars with faith in His 

power. 
He halted and called the blind to Him. 
He healed them. 

Conduct or the Bystanders : 

At first they bade the men keep silence. 
Then they encouraged them: "Arise, He 

calleth thee." 
They conducted them to Jesus. 



Jesus of Nazareth was Passing By 77 

Conduct of the Blind Men : 

They realized their sad condition and desired 
to be healed. 

They cried out earnestly, perseveringly. 

When rebuked "they cried the more." 

They obeyed Jesus' command instantly. 

Then He rewarded their faith by restoring 
their sight. 

They followed Jesus on the road to Jerusa- 
lem, "glorifying God." 

Application : 

Applying this incident to our own spiritual 

blindness we may learn 
To cry out earnestly for spiritual illumi- 
nation. 
To recognize the footsteps of Jesus, who 

is ever passing by, that He may lead 

His own onward and heavenward. 
To follow Him generously, constantly, 

not heeding those who would keep us 

from Him. 
Never to hinder others from following 

Jesus. 
To lead them rather to His feet. 
To glorify God for all the graces He has 

given us and to render Him thanks in 

His house of prayer. 
To have confidence in the power and 

mercy of our loving Saviour. 



78 Lenten Subjects 

35. JESUS' "HOUR" 

"Jems, knowing that His hour was come, 
that He should pass out of this world to the 
Father: having loved His own, He loved them 
unto the end" (John xiii. 1.) 

Introduction : 

"All things have their season; and in their 
times all things pass under heaven. A time 
to be born and a time to die." (Eccles. iii. 
1, 2.) Jesus, from the moment of His In- 
carnation, looked forward to that "time to 
die," which He called "His hour." 

Jesus Often Spoke of That Hour; e.g.: 

To the woman of Samaria: "The hour 

cometh and now is, when the true adorers 

shall adore the Father in spirit and in 

truth." (John iv. 23.) 
To His apostles He spoke of "the hour" 

when He should be betrayed. (Mark ix. 

30.) 
He announced that His hour had come 

(John xii. 23; xvii. 1), for which He had 

waited. 
He prayed in Gethsemani that it might pass 

from Him. 

The Prophets Foresaw That Hour: 

When the Lamb should be led to the slaugh- 
ter. 

When the Messias should tread the wine- 
press. 



Jesus "Hour" 79 

When men should look on Him whom they 
had pierced. 

Consider Further That: 

Mary's "hour" of suffering coincided with 

that of her Son. 
Then the sword pierced her soul. 

Jesus Awaited His Hour: 

With desire: "I have a baptism, etc." 

(Luke xii. 50.) 
With fear: "Father, save Me from this 

hour." (John xii. 27.) 
With generosity: "Arise, let us go hence." 

(Ibid. xiv. 31.) 
With love for His disciples — loving them 

"unto the end," i.e., to excess. (Ibid. xiii. 

i.) 

With confidence: "Father, into Thy hands 
I commend My spirit." (Luke xxiii. 46. ) 

Men Have Their Hours, Each Appointed 
by God: 

For the wicked, an hour of retribution. 
For the just, an hour of recompense. 
Likewise the Christian has in this world 

his hour — of temptation — of labor — of 

trial — of death. 

Application : 

Accept each hour as God appoints it, trust- 
ing in His help. 

Strive to accept trials bravely, "looking on 
Jesus." 



80 Lenten Subjects 

36. "JESUS HID HIMSELF" 

"They took up stones therefore to cast at 
Him. But Jesus hid Himself and went out of 
the temple" (John viii. 59.) 

Introduction : 

This scene took place in the temple cloisters. 
Jesus had declared that before Abraham ex- 
isted, He was. The Jews, rejecting His 
testimony, considered His words as a blas- 
phemy and prepared to stone Him. But 
His hour was not yet come; therefore He 
withdrew and thus frustrated their design. 

Consider how Jesus Hid His Divinity Dur- 
ing His life upon Earth: 

In the crib, men saw but an infant. 
During the thirty years of His hidden life, 

He passed as "the son of Joseph." 
In the desert, praying and fasting, enduring 
temptation. How unlike what we 
should have expected of the Son of God! 
In Gethsemani, when He sweat blood. 
During the ignominies of His passion; e.g., 
The flagellation, the crowning with thorns, 
The scene of the "Ecce Homo," on the 
cross. 
In the tomb, scarred with the torments of 

His passion. 
Truly He was "a hidden God!" 



"Jesus Hid Himself" 81 

Jesus Conceals Himself Now from Us. 

He Often Hides Himself as During 

His Mortal Life. 
In the events of His providence. 
In the poor, sick, and afflicted, who claim our 

alms in His name. 
In the Holy Eucharist. 
In the person of those who rule us by His 

authority — the superiors placed over us. 
When the soul commits a mortal sin. Then 

Jesus hides Himself and leaves the soul 

that can no longer serve as His temple. 
In spiritual desolation. 

He Will Cease to Hide Himself in 
Heaven. 

There we shall see Him "face to face," "as 
He is." 

Application : 

Seek Him where He is to be found. 

Ask for grace to pierce the veils that conceal 

Him. 
Live ever in His presence and in such a way 

as to retain Him with us. 
Frequently visit the Blessed Sacrament, in 

which both His humanity and divinity are 

concealed. 



82 Lenten Subjects 

37. JESUS WASHES HIS APOSTLES' FEET 

"H e putteth water into a basin and began to 
wash the feet of the disciples" (John xiii. 5.) 

Introduction : 

Contemplate the scene in that "Upper 
Room." Jesus is reclining at the supper- 
table with His disciples. Presently He rises 
from His place and prepares to render them 
a menial service. They look at Him, awe- 
struck and astonished. 

The Solemn Preparation for This Act 
of Humility. 
"Knowing that the Father had given all 
things into His hands." "That He came 
from God and goeth to God." 
And this is the prelude, not to some mighty 
miracle of raising the dead, but to an act 
of humility. He who took on Himself 
the form of a servant did not disdain to do 
a servant's work. 

Consider Jesus Kneeling in Turn at the 
Feet of His Apostles. 
He reads their inmost thoughts : 

He sees in Peter, faith and love mingled 

with presumption. 
He sees in John, love, purity, zeal, cour- 
age, and a certain ambition. 
He sees in Thomas* good will, devoted- 
ness, yet his faith is weak. 



Jesus Washes His Apostles' Feet 83 

He sees in Matthew, generosity in giving 
up his wealth. 

He sees in Andrew, love of the cross and 
zeal for souls. 

He sees in Judas, avarice, deceit, jealousy. 
In all, except the traitor, He sees future 
witnesses to Him even to the shedding 
of blood. All were dear to Him. He 
loved even Judas, as He loves all sin- 
ners, with a yearning love of compassion. 

Discourse of Jesus after Washing Their 
Feet, in Which He Teaches Us that 

Eternity reveals all things: "What I do 
thou knowest not now, thou shalt know 
hereafter.' ' 

It is necessary that He should cleanse us 
from lesser as from greater faults. 
(Every absolution is the fruit of His 
precious blood.) 

He wills that we should perform lowly exer- 
cises of charity for our neighbor and this 
for His sake. 

We do well when we call Him Lord and 
Master ; we do better when we render Him 
the homage of imitation. 

Application : 

Are we ready to humble ourselves before 

men for Christ's sake? 
Do we minister to our neighbor as unto 

Him? 



84 Lenten Subjects 

38. CONFIDENCE IN GOD 

"Let not your heart be troubled. You be- 
lieve in God, believe also in Me." (John 
xiv. 1.) 

Introduction : 

Strangely these words must have fallen upon 
the ears of the apostles under the circum- 
stances in which they were uttered in the 
Cenacle on Maundy Thursday. 

All Seemed to Combine to Produce 
Trouble and Sorrow. 

The prediction of Judas' treachery. 

The prediction of Peter's denial. 

The prediction of the apostles' flight. 

The prediction of Jesus' leaving His apos- 
tles. 

The prediction of His passion so close at 
hand. 

Still Jesus Exhorted His Apostles to 
Confidence. 

Weigh each word of His exhortation: 
Let not; i.e. : 

Do not allow yourselves to be troubled. 

Exercise will power. 

Think of the motives of encouragement; 

e.g., His Resurrection, the hope of 

seeing Him again; the promise that 

their joy should "be full." 



Confidence in God 85 

Tour heart; i.e. : 

Your inmost soul with its 

Memory — calling to mind His words. 

Understanding — penetrating by faith 
and hope the designs of God's 
providence. 

Will — bending it to run parallel with 
God's will; repressing fear, which 
is "a yielding up of the succors 
from thought"; i.e., which para- 
lyzes the intelligence and power of 
acting. 

Motives of Confidence. 

Belief in God's 

Love 

Omniscience 

Omnipotence 

Wisdom 

Justice. 
Faith in Christ's 

Love of His sheep. 

Fidelity to His promises. 
The "many mansions" awaiting us. 
The necessity of entering into life through 
the portals of death. 

Application : 

"Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast 
the words of eternal life." (John vi. 69.) 

"Although He should kill me, I will trust in 
Him." (Job xiii. 15.) 



86 Lenten Subjects 

39. "LEANING ON JESUS' BOSOM" 

"There was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of 
His disciples j whom Jesus loved. 3 ' (John xiii. 
23.) 

Introduction : 

Picture the scene as portrayed by this disci- 
ple — the supper table, our Divine Master in 
the place of honor, St. John reclining to the 
left of Our Lord, so that he could lean back 
on Jesus' bosom. 

Jesus Was True Man, Consequently He 
Had Preferences and Gave Tokens of 
His Friendship. 

Re had a special love 

For St. John, "the beloved disciple." 

For St. Mary Magdalen, Martha, and 
their brother, Lazarus. 

For St. Peter, who, on professing his love 
for his Master, was appointed to shep- 
herd the flock of Christ. 

For Mary, His Mother. 

For little children. 

For the sick, suffering, and sorrowful. 
He gave tokens of His friendship: 

St, John leaned on His bosom. 

Mary Magdalen knelt at His feet. 

His Blessed Mother was privileged to 
stand by His cross. 

He took little children up in His arms and 
blessed them. 



"Leaning on Jesus' Bosom" 87 

He gave special favors to Peter, James, 
and John. 

What Especially Attracted Jesus' Love 
and Sympathy for St. John? 

St. John's purity of soul. 
His zeal and loyalty ("son of thunder") . 
His love of Mary, whom Jesus confided to 
his care. 

What St. John Learned as He Leaned 
on His Master's Bosom: 

To realize Jesus' love for him and for all 
men. 

To love Him "in deed and in truth," and 
hence: to follow him; to stand by the 
cross ; to die for Him ( "martyr in will") . 

To be the apostle of love. 

Application : 

We can share St. John's privilege 

By contrition: The father of the prodi- 
gal son "fell upon his neck" and em- 
braced him. (Luke xv. 20.) 

By purity of soul : "His right hand shall 
embrace me." (Cant. ii. 6.) 

By simplicity: "He shall gather to- 
gether the lambs with His arm." (Is. 
xl. 11.) 

By confidence: "Underneath are the 
everlasting arms." (Deut. xxxiii. 27.) 

By prayer and holy communion: "We 
will come to him and will make Our 
abode with him." (John xiv. 23.) 



88 Lenten Subjects 

40. THE FRIENDSHIP OF CHRIST 

"I have called you friends; because all things, 
whatsoever I have heard of My Father, I have 
made known to you." "Stay you here and 
watch with Me/' (John xv. 15; Matt. xxvi. 

38.) 

Introduction : 

Since Christ our Master was perfect man, 
like us He longed for human friendship and 
all it connotes — human love, sympathy, de- 
votedness, mutual interchange of words and 
deeds of service. 

Words of Jesus, Proving His Desire for 
His Creatures' Friendship: 
"Where there are two or three gathered to- 
gether in My name, there am I in the 
midst of them." (Matt, xviii. 20.) 
"Come to Me, all you that labor and are 

burdened. 5 ' (Ibid. xi. 28.) 
"Abide in My love." (John xv. 9.) 
Services rendered to the least of His little 
ones, He takes as done unto Himself. 
(Matt. xxv. 40.) 
"I am with you all days." (lb. xxviii. 20.) 
He prayed that His disciples might always 
be with Him. (John xvii. 24.) 
Deeds Proving His True Friendship: 
He went to His apostles' assistance in their 
needs. 
On the Lake, the tribute money, the heal- 
ing of St. Peter's mother-in-law, etc. 



The Friendship of Christ 89 

He taught His apostles to pray in His name. 

He sought their company in His joys and 
sorrows (Thabor, Gethsemani). 

He wept over Jerusalem, His beloved city; 
over Lazarus, His "friend," and re- 
joiced in raising him from the dead. 

He knew how to forgive and forget the con- 
duct of His apostles during His pas- 
sion. 

He rewarded St. John's fidelity on Calvary. 

He established the Church to enlist and re- 
tain men in His friendship. 

He ever offers Himself for mankind in the 
holy sacrifice of the Mass. 

He is preparing a place for His own in 
heaven and will come again and take 
them unto Himself. 

Above all, He laid down His life for His 
friends and foes. 

Application : 

Our duties to Jesus, "our Friend" : 

To learn to know Him more intimately. 

To treat Him with loving, reverent famil- 
iarity (as the saints were wont to do) . 

To further His interests — at our own cost, 
if needs be. 

To give ourselves wholly to Him whose 
love exceeds all human affection. 
"I have loved thee with an everlasting love, 
therefore have I drawn thee, taking pity 
on thee." ( Jer. xxxi. 3.) 



90 Lenten Subjects 

41. JESUS' PRAYER IN GETHSEMANI 

"He saiih to them: My soul is sorrowful 
even unto death. Stay you here and watch 
with Me. And going a little further, He fell 
upon His face, praying arid saying : My Fa- 
ther, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from 
Me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou 
wilt. . . . And He prayed the third time, say- 
ing the selfsame word." (Matt. xxvi. 88-44.) 

Introduction : 

According to a Hebrew idiom, "cup" or 
"chalice" is used figuratively for sorrows or 
joys sent by God; e.g.: "Thou [i.e., Jeru- 
salem] hast drunk at the hand of the Lord 
the cup of His wrath . . . thou hast drunk 
even to the dregs." ( Is. li. 17. ) "My chal- 
ice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!" 
(Ps. xxii. 5.) 

Jesus, as Man, Experienced the Greatest 
Opposition of His All-Perfect and 
Free Will When the Bitter Potion 
of His Passion Was Presented to 
Him. 
The ingredients of this potion were numer- 
ous; e.g.: It cost Our Lord tremen- 
dous violence to His human will to 
accept 
The indignity of being tempted by Satan 
in Gethsemani; of the rejection of His 
own people; of the cowardice and in- 
gratitude of His disciples; of standing 
as a criminal before a human tribunal. 



Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemani 91 

The awful torments of His passion — and 
He foresaw every detail of it. 

The insults offered to His reputation by 
the terrible indignities awaiting Him. 

The humiliation of taking our sins upon 
Him, of being our Sin-Bearer. 

He Needed Strength to Overcome This 
Natural Repugnance. 

He wrestled with Satan, who perhaps rep- 
resented to Him the inutility of His suf- 
ferings for so many. 

He "prayed the more" as the repugnance 
increased. 

God Sent an Angel to Strengthen Him. 

Perhaps by showing Him the glorious fruits 

of His passion. 
Then, Jesus, thus strengthened, 

Went forward to meet His executioners. 
Submitted to the kiss of Judas. 
Suffered His apostles to depart, and for- 
bade the soldiers to arrest them. 
Submitted to be bound and led into Jeru- 
salem. 
Accepted every detail of the passion. 
Application : 

The Christian must overcome natural repug- 
nance to suffering by continued earnest 
prayer. This opposition of the will, if 
combated,, increases his merits. He, like 
St. Paul, "can do all things, through 
Christ," who strengthens him. 



92 Lenten Subjects 

42. LESSONS FROM GETHSEMANI 

"He went, according to His custom, to the 
Mount of Olives . . . and, kneeling down, He 
prayed, saying: Father, if Thou wilt, remove 
this chalice from Me, but yet not My will, but 
Thine be done. And there appeared to Him 
an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. 
And being in an agony, He prayed the longer. 
And His sweat became as drops of blood trick- 
ling down upon the ground." (Luke xxii. 
39-44.) 

Introduction : 

Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemani; 
leaving eight apostles at the entrance, He 
takes with Him Peter, James, and John to 
be witnesses of His humiliation and interior 
passion. 

In Gethsemani, Jesus Desired the Com- 
panionship of His Apostles. 

Because as man, He needed sympathy. 
He wished them to see what a price He was 

paying for man's redemption. 
He willed to give them a signal proof of His 

love. 
He desired to have them near Him, that 

when He was arrested Himself, He might 

protect them from His foes. 



Lessons from Geihsemani 93 

Feom Our Lord's Agony We May Learn 
Many Precious Lessons. 

To detest sin, which caused Him to be "sor- 
rowful unto death/' "to fear," and "to be 
heavy," weighed down under the burden 
of iniquities. 

Reverence in prayer: "He was heard for 
His reverence." "He fell flat upon the 
ground," "upon His face." 

Resignation to God's will and natural re- 
pugnance for suffering can co-exist in the 
soul. 

God strengthens the souls that persevere in 
prayer; He sends His angels to assist 
them. 

In suffering, we should prolong our prayer — 
like our Divine Master, pray "the longer." 

It is lawful to desire human sympathy while 
willing to sacrifice it, if God so appoints. 

Application : 

When in sorrow, offer our prayers in union 
with Jesus in Gethsemani, where He sanc- 
tified the prayers of all who are afflicted. 

In spiritual desolation, we must be prepared 
to "pray the longer." 

In the midst of the conflict with strong temp- 
tations think of Jesus in Gethsemani: 
We "have not yet resisted unto blood, 
striving against sin." 



94 Lenten Subjects 

43. THE SUBMISSION OF JESUS 

"He shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, 
and shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearer" 
(Is.liii.T-) 

Introduction : 

Jesus, in His sacred passion, has given us an 
example of all virtues. In the text cited 
above, the prophet predicted the submission 
of Jesus to all that was appointed for Him 
to endure. 

Consider How Jesus Was Led as a Sheep 
to the Slaughter by His Enemies: 

"They . . . laid hands on Jesus and held 
Him" in Gethsemani. (Matt. xxvi. 50.) 

"They led Him away to Annas first." 
(John xviii. 13.) 

"Annas sent Him bound to Caiphas." 
(Ibid. 24.) 

"Binding Jesus, they led Him away and de- 
livered Him to Pilate." (Mark xv. 1.) 

Pilate "sent Him to Herod." (Luke xxiii. 

Herod "sent Him back to Pilate." (Ibid. 

"The soldiers led Him away into the court 
of the palace" (Mark xv. 16), where they 
mocked at His royalty. 

Pilate said "I bring Him forth unto you. 
. . . Behold the Man!" (John xix. 5.) 



The Submission of Jesus 95 

Then "they led Him out to crucify Him." 
(Mark xv. 20.) 

Feom Jesus' Submission, the Christian 
Should Learn Some Precious Lessons: 

To resign himself wholly to God. 

Cf. "Take all that shall be brought 
upon thee; and in thy sorrow endure, 
and in thy humiliation keep patience." 
(Ecclus. ii. 4.) 
Prudence even counsels this, seeing that man 
can not guide himself aright, since he is 
Blinded by passion. 
Ignorant of the way. 
Harassed by enemies. 
Weak and inconstant. 
God leads each soul — often whither it would 
not naturally wish to go — even as He 
led St. Peter. 
As the submission of Christ to His passion 
was rewarded by the glory of His Res- 
urrection, so the patient submission of 
the soul will be rewarded in heaven. 

Application : 

We owe to God as our Leader and Master 
Absolute submission. 
Loving confidence. 
Sincere gratitude. 



96 Lenten Subjects 

44. FIAT ! 

"Fiatl" — meaning, "Let it be done" l 

Introduction : 

Three times (inter alia), we find this word 
in the Scriptures and each time dealing with 
tremendous issues. 

God's "Fiat" at the Creation of the 
World. 

Before that "Fiat" all was in chaos and 
darkness. 

God's word produced order, beauty, life, 
light. 

God's "Fiat" re-echoes down the ages, "up- 
holding all things by the word of His 
power." 

Consider Mary's "Fiat" — "Be It Done 
unto Me According to Thy Word." 
It was the "Fiat" of a sinless creature. 
Consider the circumstances. 
The world's sin and misery. 
The need of a Saviour. 
The earnest yearning of the just for the 
Messias. 
Consider the effects. 

"The Word was made flesh and dwelt 

among us." 
Man was potentially redeemed since Mary 
gave Jesus "power to die." 2 

i Present subjunctive of "fieri" — "to become." 
2 Father Tabb's poem. 



Fiat! 97 

The "Fiat" of the Son of God. 

Circumstances : 

Uttered before the creation of the world: 

"Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God." 
In Gethsemani as He began His passion. 
Effects: 

Man's redemption was thereby accom- 
plished. 
Heaven was opened to all believers. 
God's glory was procured. 

Application : 

The sinful creature can likewise pronounce 
its "Fiat" — above all, the devout and 
faithful Christian, seeing that 

Jesus and Mary have given us an exam- 
ple. 

It is necessary that we should say it both 
for our sanctification and salvation. 

Though it is difficult to accept God's will 
when it brings us suffering, still we can 
do so by God's grace. 
Thus holy Job in his sore afflictions said: 
"The Lord gave, and the Lord hath 
taken away. . . . Blessed be the name 
of the Lord. In all these things Job 
sinned not by his lips ; nor spake he any 
foolish thing against God." (Job i. 
21, 22.) 



98 Lenten Subjects 

45. JESUS' LAMENT OVER JERUSALEM 

"When He drew near, seeing the city, He 
wept over it, saying: If thou also hadst 
known, and that in this thy day, the things 
that are to thy peace; but now they are hidden 
from thy eyes." (Luke xix. 41, 42.) 

Introduction : 

Contemplate the scene, the brow of the hill, 
whence there was a glorious view of the city. 
See the procession. Listen to the "Hosan- 
nas" of the multitude. Contemplate Jesus 
weeping as He looks upon the doomed city. 

He Drew Near Jerusalem — "the City of 
Peace." 

As He did so, in prophetic vision He saw 
Jerusalem leveled to the ground and 
Mount Olivet covered with the crosses of 
crucified Jews. 

He knew that for many of His people His 
passion would be of no avail (e.g., for 
Judas). 

He foresaw the sufferings of His own dis- 
ciples. 

He knew what fearful guilt the Jewish na- 
tion were incurring by putting Him to 
death. 

Hence Jesus Wept "Aloud," 
As He wept at the grave of Lazarus. 



Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem 99 

As St. Mary Magdalen wept at His feet. 
As the widow of Nairn wept for her son. 

The Jews Knew not the Time of Their 
Visitation. 

Their ignorance was wilful. They would 
not accept Jesus as the Messias. 

Therefore the things that were for their 
peace were hidden from their eyes. 

Thousands in Our Day Know not the 
Day of Their Visitation. 

Thus, sinners reject Christ. 

Many Catholics do not follow Him whole- 
heartedly. 

Some refuse to follow Him in the path of 
the counsels. 

Often Christians fail to realize that trials are 
a blessed visitation fraught with countless 
blessings, for those who accept them from 
God and bear them generously. 

Application : 

Profit by the occasions which God offers us 

for working out our salvation. 
Pray that we may realize fully His designs 

for our sanctification and correspond to 

the graces bestowed upon us. 



100 Lenten Subjects 

46. THE SUFFERINGS OF JESUS 

"O all ye that pass by the way, attend, and 
see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow" 
(Lam. i. 12.) "A man of sorrows and ac- 
quainted with infirmity" (Is. liii. 3.) 

Introduction : 

The sacred passion is the dominant thought 
of Lent. It should be the devotion dear to 
all Christians. It is a devotion which brings 
many graces and one which characterizes 
God's saints. In heaven it furnishes the 
theme of the hymns of praise of the blessed. 

Who Suffers? 

The Lamb of God, the Sinless One. 

Jesus, our Surety. 

Our God; i.e., the Word Incarnate. 

What Does "the Man of Sorrows" Suffer? 
In His body. 

Poverty, hunger, thirst, heat and cold, 
weariness, pain in every limb and sense, 
agony and death in torments. 
In His soul. 

Man's sin overwhelming His holy soul; 
temptations of Satan, spiritual desola- 
tion, heaviness and fear, apprehension 
of His passion. 
In His affections. 

Indifference, denial, betrayal, desertion, 
ingratitude, hatred, and rejection. 



The Sufferings of Jesus 101 

In His mission. 

Contradiction of sinners, persecution, op- 
position, rejection of His Messianic 
claims. 
In His honor. 

Mockery, derision, calumnies, unbelief. 

With What Dispositions Does He Suffer? 

With love, generosity, and constancy. 

With humility. Saints have suffered — up- 
borne by grace — with ecstatic joy. Jesus 
suffered as man, falling even beneath His 
cross and accepting Simon's help. 

Why Does He Suffee Thus? 

To merit for us a plentiful redemption. 

To procure the glory of God, of which man's 
sin had robbed Him. 

To give us an example that we should fol- 
low in His steps. (1 Pet. ii. 21.) 

To compel us to love Him in return. 

Application : 

"The servant is not greater than his lord." 

(John xiii. 16.) 
"Let him deny himself and take up his cross 

and follow Me." (Mark viii. 34.) 
"If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him." 

(2 Tim. ii. 12.) 



102 Lenten Subjects 

47. JESUS, OUR SURETY 

"Forget not the kindness of thy Surety, for 
He hath given His life for thee/' (Ecclus. 
xxix. 19.) 

Introduction : 

We can apply these words of the Wise Man 
to Jesus, our Surety, who hath given His life 
for us. 

Man Proverbially Has a Bad Memory as 
Regards Spiritual Obligations; e.g., 

He forgets his bounden duty to his Creator 
and thus neither worships God nor gives 
Him thanks. 

He forgets his promises to God. 

He forgets to atone for his sins. 

He forgets the very existence of his immor- 
tal soul. 

He forgets his own truest and highest inter- 
est in not receiving his spiritual food. 

He forgets that earth is but a passage in his 
existence, not a finality. 

To Man, so Forgetful or His Duties, 
Jesus Has Shown Kindness. 

As proofs of this, we have 

His Incarnation "for us men and for our 

salvation." 
His hidden life of humility and toil. 
His public life of mercy. 



Jesus, Our Surety 103 

His mental sufferings and interior pas- 
sion. 

His bodily sufferings. 

His constant care for His children. 

His long abode in the silence and loneli- 
ness of the tabernacle. 

His willingness to absolve the penitent. 

His loving invitations to the children of 
men. 

Jesus, Our Surety, Gave His Life. He 
Did not Merely Risk it for Men. 

He answered for us as Juda for Benjamin: 
"I take the boy upon me; require him at 
my hand." (Gen. xliii. 9.) 

"He was made sin for us." Like the scape- 
goat, He was laden with our iniquities, 
but, as He tells us, "I lay down My life, 
no man taketh it from Me." 

We Remember the Kindness of Our 

Surety. 
By profiting by His redemption. 
By meditating on His passion. 
By returning Him love for love. 
By "com-passion," i.e., suffering in union 

with Him, whatever He shall please to 

lay upon us in body or soul. 
By voluntary acts of self-denial. 

Application : 

Think of our Surety when tempted by the 
devil. 



104 Lenten Subjects 

48. "WITH JESUS OF NAZARETH" 

"Thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth." 
(Mark xiv. 67.) "Even thy speech doth dis- 
cover thee." (Matt. xxvi. 73.) The rulers 
knew "that they [Peter and John] had been 
with Jesus" (Acts iv. 13.) 

Introduction : 

Contemplate the scene: St. Peter in the 
courtyard in the midst of Jesus' enemies. 
They knew him by his Galilean accent ; 1 they 
had seen him in Gethsemani. In like man- 
ner, the high priest Annas, and those with 
him, remembered having seen the apostles 
with Jesus. 

Every True Christian Has Been and Is 
"with Jesus of Nazareth" 

By sanctifying grace. 
By prayer. 
By holy communion. 
By resignation to the will of God. 
By patience and constancy in suffering — vol- 
untary or imposed by God. 

Their Speech "Discovers" Them. 

To the good, they are "an odor of life unto 
life." 

i The Galileans could not pronounce the guttural sounds cor- 
rectly. 



"With Jesus of Nazareth" 105 

To the bad, they are "an odor of death unto 
death" since we manifest "the knowledge 
of Christ." (See 2 Cor. ii. 14-16.) 

Their mouths "speak of the abundance of the 
heart," and reveal it to be a "good heart." 

Their Conduct Reveals that They Have 
Been with Jesus. 

It was on seeing the " constancy" of Peter 
and John that the high priest remembered 
having seen them with Jesus. 

St. Paul declares that the life of Jesus should 
be "made manifest in our mortal flesh," 
and this by "always bearing about in our 
body the mortification of Jesus." (2 Cor. 
iv. 10.) Again, he writes: "I live, now 
not I; but Christ liveth in me." (Gal. 
ii. 20.) 

Application: 

Does our daily life reveal that we, too, have 

been with Jesus of Nazareth? 
Does our speech betray us, and in which 

sense? 



106 Lenten Subjects 

49. THE SENTIMENTS OF JESUS 
DURING HIS PASSION 

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in 
Christ Jesus. . . . He humbled Himself, be- 
coming obedient unto death, even to the death 
of the cross/' (Philipp. ii. 5, 8.) 

Introduction : 

Each year as Passiontide comes round, we 
should endeavor to penetrate more deeply 
into Our Lord's sentiments by studying 
more earnestly His interior dispositions. 

His Sentiments as Regards Humility: 

By the Incarnation 

"He emptied Himself, He took the form 
of a servant and was found in the 
habit of man," and this that, when the 
appointed time came, He might suf- 
fer the agonies of His bitter passion. 
In His sacred passion 

He took our iniquities upon Him. 

He let the flood-tide of sin roll in upon 

His soul. 
He allowed Himself to be 

Betrayed, denied, and deserted by His 

own. 
Rejected in favor of Barabbas. 
Mocked, scourged, crowned with thorns. 
Dragged as a criminal to Calvary. 
Nailed to the cross upon which He died. 



Jesus During the Passion 107 

Buried in a tomb, like an ordinary man 
(instead of rising gloriously instantly 
after His death). 

His Sentiments as Regards Charity: 

He defended His apostles. 

He loved them to the end — giving His life's 

blood for their ransom. 
He excused His executioners and prayed 

for them. 
He worked a miracle in favor of Malchus. 
For love of men's souls, He drank the chalice 

of calumny, insult, and humiliation to the 

very dregs. The prophet saw Him as "a 

worm and no man." 
He forgave all who persecuted Him and 

compassed His death. 
His love and confidence in His Heavenly 

Father were not shaken by His passion. 

Application : 

"Let this mind be in you, which was in Christ 
Jesus." 

Learn from His example to practise humil- 
ity and charity. 



108 Lenten Subjects 

50. "DESPISED AND REJECTED" 

"Despised and the most abject of men, a man 
of sorrows and acquainted with infirmity; and 
His look was as it were hidden and despised. 
Whereupon we esteemed Him not/' (Is. 
liii.3.) 

Introduction : 

Isaias saw Christ Our Lord as "the Man of 
Sorrows." David had predicted the rejec- 
tion of Jesus as the "Cornerstone." 

Jesus Was Rejected During His Hidden 
Life. 

In Bethlehem "His own received Him not." 
Simeon predicted that He should be a sign 

of contradiction. 
Herod sought to kill the Holy Child. 
In Nazareth, He was reputed simply as "the 

carpenter's son." "Neither did His 

brethren believe in Him." 

Jesus Was Rejected During His Public 
Life. 

Nathanael asked: "Can any thing of good 

come from Nazareth?" (John i. 46.) 

Jesus complained: "You will not come to 

Me," etc. (John v. 40.) 
The leaders of Israel said of Him that 
"He ate with publicans and sinners." 

(Mark ii. 16.) 
"He hath a devil and is mad. Why hear 
you Him?" (John x. 20.) 



"Despised and Rejected" 109 

The people of Nazareth "rose up and thrust 
Him out of the city; and they brought 
Him to the brow of the hill whereon 
their city was built, that they might cast 
Him down headlong." 

The Samaritans "received Him not." 

"All the multitude of the country of the Ge- 
rasens besought Him to depart from 
them." 

The Jews in the temple "took up stones to 
stone Him." 

They plotted to put Him to death. 

Jesus Was Rejected During His Suffer- 
ing Life. 

By Judas. 

By St. Peter: "I know not the man." 

By the Jews: "Away with Him;' "We 

have no king but Csesar." 
By God Himself — in a sense: "My God, 

My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" 

Why This Rejection and Contempt? 

It was due to man's ignorance and malice. 
It was part of God's plan of redemption. 
It was a reparation for man's pride. 

Application : 

Not to be astonished when wrong over- 
powers right. 

The Christian is, like His loved Master, de- 
spised and rejected by the worldly-minded. 



110 Lenten Subjects 

51. "ECCE HOMO!" 

"Jesus came forth bearing the crown of 
thorns and the purple garment/' And Pilate 
"saith to them: Behold the Man." (John 
xix. 5.) 

Introduction : 

This scene took place in the courtyard of the 
Forum. Pilate and his guards came forth, 
then Jesus was led out by the soldiers and 
presented to the people. For a moment 
there was a dead silence, a straining of all 
eyes to see Him. Then the shouts of the 
chief priests and their servants rent the air: 
"Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Stirred 
up by their rulers, the common people joined 
in the clamor for Jesus' condemnation. 

What Did the Spectators See? 

"The Man of Sorrows." 
"A worm and no man." 
Yet, in reality, He was the "beautiful One 

in His robe, walking in the greatness of 

His strength." (Is. lxiii. 1.) 
Their King crowned, though they knew Him 

not as their Sovereign. 
One dumb as a lamb before its shearers. 

What Are Their Sentiments? 

The people who knew Jesus are filled with 
compassion. 



"Ecce Homo!" Ill 

His disciples are overwhelmed with grief. 

Jesus' foes gloat over the spectacle of His 
humiliation. 

Mary worships her Son and her King. 

The angels adore their Lord. 

The devils rejoice in their evil deed accom- 
plished. 

What Are Jesus' Dispositions in This 
Awful Hour or Humiliation? 

He offers Himself to suffer even more: 
"Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God." 

He accepts the humiliation, "taking on Him- 
self the form of a slave." 

He longs to be "lifted up," as the means of 
drawing all men to Him. 

He pities His foes, who "know not what they 
do." 

He loves His own even to the end. 

Application : 

Learn to accept contempt, humiliation, and 
bodily sufferings when God allows them to 
assail us. 

Be willing to sacrifice our reputation if God 
asks it of us. 



112 Lenten Subjects 

52. THE KINGSHIP OF JESUS 

"Pilate said to Him: Art Thou a king, 
then? Jesus answered: Thou say est that I 
am a king. For this was I born, and for this 
came I into the world; that I should give testi- 
mony to the truth." (John xviii. 37.) "And 
Pilate wrote a title also: and he put it upon the 
cross. And the writing was: Jesus of Naza- 
reth, the King of the Jews." (Ibid. xix. 19.) 
"The Lamb shall overcome them, because He 
is Lord of lords and King of kings" ( Apoc. 
xvii. 14.) 

Introduction : 

Before the Sanhedrin, Jesus was condemned 
because He asserted Himself to be the Son 
of God. Before Pilate the Jews accused 
Him of aspiring to royal dignity, and this 
was the "cause" of His condemnation in- 
scribed on the title of the cross. Pilate knew 
that Jesus laid claim to no earthly throne. 

Examine Some of the Events of Jesus' 
Life and as Each Scene Passes Be- 
fore Our Mental Vision, Let Us 
Ask Him Reverently: "Master, Art 
Thou Indeed a King?" 

Think of Him 

Born in a stable; cradled in a manger; ex- 
iled in Egypt; laboring in the work- 
shop at Nazareth ; fasting and enduring 
temptation in the desert; having not 



The Kingship of Jesus 113 

where to lay His sacred head; praying 
on the mountain-slopes the whole night ; 
dragged to the edge of the precipice by 
the Nazarenes; threatened with ston- 
ing; sweating blood in Gethsemani; 
blindfolded, spat upon when clothed as 
a mock king; scourged and crowned 
with thorns; rejected for Barabbas; 
carrying His cross, crucified, dead, and 
buried. 

Jesus' Answer: 'Tor This Was I Born, 
for This Came I into the World, to 
Give Testimony or the Truth." 

Jesus is the Truth because "He is King of 
kings and Lord of lords.' ' 

As Bang, He wrests His kingdom from the 
father of lies; delivers the slaves of sin 
and frees them. Cf. "The truth shall 
make you free" (John viii. 32) ; pays in 
blood the ransom of His subjects; leads 
the faithful to victory against the devil, 
the world, and the flesh. 

Hence the Christian Is of a Royal Race, 
a Son of God by Adoption, a Co-inher- 
itor with Jesus, His King. 

"If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him." 
Application: 

Be loyal to Jesus, our King: "In what 
place soever Thou shalt be, Lord, my 
King, either in death or in life, there will 
Thy servant be." (2 Kings xv. 21.) 



114 Lenten Subjects 

53. JESUS, ON THE CROSS, OUR 
DIVINE EXEMPLAR 

"See that thou make all things according to 
the pattern which was shown thee on the 
mount" (Heb. viii. 5.) 

Introduction : 

Standing on Calvary, in presence of our cru- 
cified Saviour, let us meditate on "the Pat- 
tern," shown us on this sacred mountain, that 
we may learn the lessons He would teach us. 

The Heinousness of Sin. 

Which crucified Jesus in 
Mind. 
Body. 
Affection. 
Reputation. 
This multiple crucifixion was ever before 
Him from the moment of His Incar- 
nation. 

The Love of the Father for the Human 
Race. 

"God so loved the world as to give His only 

begotten Son." (John iii. 16.) 
This love was 

Eternal. 

Immense. 

Inclusive of all His creatures. 



Jesus on the Cross 115 

The Need of Reparation for Sin. 

God's justice must punish sin. 

He punished it in Jesus, our Surety. 

We must strive to satisfy God for our sins, 
in our feeble measure "filling up those 
things that are wanting in the sufferings 
of Christ, in my flesh, for His Body, which 
is the Church." (Col. i. 24.) 

Duty of Loyalty to Our King. 

In union with Our Lady and St. John and 

the faithful ministering women. 
In professing our Faith by word and deed. 

Lesson of Humility, because 
We are all reprieved criminals. 
We are capable of great crimes. 
We are impotent of our nature. 
We caused His bitter passion. 

Lesson of Charity. 

"Greater love than this no man hath, that a 

man lay down his life for his friends." 

(John xv. 13.) 
Yet Jesus lays down His life for His foes; 

hence we must love all men — friends or 

foes — and be zealous for their sanctifica- 

tion and salvation. 

Application: 
Ever keep the Pattern "given us on the 
mount' ' before our eyes, especially during 
Lent. 



116 Lenten Subjects 

54. THE FIVE WOUNDS 

"What are these wounds in the midst of Thy 
hands? . . . With these was I wounded in the 
house of them that loved Me!' (Zach. xiii. 6.) 

Introduction : 

The Fridays of Lent are set apart to the 
memory of some mystery of the passion, each 
giving some special aspect of it. 

The Five Wounds or Our Crucified Sav- 
iour Are Sacred Sources. 

From them flowed "the very price paid for 
our ransom." (Sec. for this feast.) 

Life, healing, and strength flow from them. 

Through the precious blood, which flowed 
from them, the Church prays that, "sum- 
moned one day by God from this life, it 
may be ours with joy and gladness to 
pass through the gates of Paradise." 
(Postcom. for feast of the Passion.) 

The redeemed in heaven bless God for these 
wounds, to which they owe their glory and 
happiness. We hope hereafter to con- 
template them. 

They contribute to the glory of Jesus 
throughout eternity : He is worshiped as 
"the Lamb that was slain." 

Lessons We May Learn from the Precious 
Wounds of Our Saviour. 
We must learn to rejoice in them: "You 



The Five Wounds 117 

shall draw waters with joy out of the 

Saviour's fountains." (Is. xii. 3.) 
That the Church would have us "bear in 

mind the lessons of patience which He has 

taught." 
We should show by our fervor that these 

wounds are engraved on our hearts. 
As members of Christ's mystical body, the 

Church, we ought to rejoice in the glory 

which, by these wounds, Jesus procured 

to His eternal Father. 
We can offer, for the salvation of sinners, 

the precious blood which flowed from these 

wounds. 
The sight of these wounds should arouse us 

to sincere sorrow for sin, seeing that Our 

Saviour was wounded for our iniquities. 
The contemplation of these wounds should 

deter us from sin. 

Application : 

Which of these lessons do we most need to 
learn? 



118 Lenten Subjects 

55. WOUNDED BY FRIENDS 

"With these I was wounded in the house of 
them that loved Me" (Zach. xiii. 6.) "Be- 
hold, I have graven thee in My hands." (Is. 
xlix. 16.) 

Introduction : 

One of the keenest pangs of Jesus' passion 
must have been the fact that they were in- 
flicted upon Him by His own people. 
These sufferings were continual and mani- 
fold in their nature — physical and moral. 
Trace the course of Jesus' sufferings. 

The Rules s or Israel Persecuted Jesus. 

Herod the Great sought to kill Him. 
Herod Antipas mocked Him. 
The Sanhedrists persecuted, calumniated, 
and condemned Him to death. 

The People or Israel Persecuted Jesus. 

They "bore false witness against Him." 
They endeavored to stone Him. 
They clamored for His crucifixion. 
They rejected Him for Barabbas. 
They mocked Him in the house of Caiphas. 
They mocked Him when He hung upon the 
cross. 

His "Brethren" Rejected . Him. 

Those of His own village despised Him. 
Accused Him of madness. 
Strove to cast Him over the cliff. 



Wounded by Friends 119 

Those Whom He Had Benefited, 

Abandoned Him during His passion. 
Feared to have intercourse with Him; e.g., 

the parents of the man born blind. 
Showed no gratitude ; e.g., the nine lepers. 

His Own Disciples Caused Him Suffer- 
ing. 

They dared not confess Him before men. 

They made no effort to save Him. 

They "walked no more with Him" when He 
taught them the mystery of the Holy Eu- 
charist. 

They stood "afar off" when He was cruci- 
fied. 

His Own Apostles Caused Him Suffer- 
ing. 

Before His passion. 

By their want of comprehension, their im- 
perfections and faults; e.g., quarreling 
over precedence, ambitious for first 
places, even presuming to rebuke Him; 
begrudging Him the ointment. 

During His passion. 

He was betrayed, denied, abandoned by 
His own. They slept in Gethsemani. 
They lost all faith in His Resurrection. 

Application : 

Consider Our Lord's sufferings when we suf- 
fer at the hands of men, and imitate His 
example. 



120 Lenten Subjects 

56. THE PRECIOUS BLOOD 

"You were not redeemed with corruptible 
things as gold or silver . . . but with the pre- 
cious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb unspotted 
and undefiled." ( 1 Pet. i. 18. ) "Jesus Christ 
. . . hath loved us and washed us from our sins 
in His own blood/' ( Apoc. i. 5.) 

Introduction : 

Men value life above all things ; and "blood" 
is a synonym for "life." 

Excellence of the Pbecious Blood. 

Seen in that it 

Is due to the conception of the infinite 
love of God. 

Was created when Jesus became incar- 
nate. 

Poured forth for the world's ransom. 

When Jesus Shed His Blood: 

At His Circumcision. 

In Gethsemani. 

When He was scourged. 

When He was crowned with thorns. 

On the road to Calvary. 

When nailed to the cross. 

When His side was pierced. 



The Precious Blood 121 

Fruits of the Precious Blood : 

The ransom and nourishment of the Church 

Militant. 
The solace of the holy souls in purgatory 

when offered for them in the holy Mass. 
The joy of the saints in heaven. 

Christians Profit by the Precious Blood: 

When first they receive sanctifying grace 

in Baptism. 
When they receive actual graces. 
When they assist at holy Mass. 
When they gain indulgences. 

Application : 

If Our Lord shed His blood and died for us, 

we should live for Him. 
"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable 

gift" of the precious blood freely given 

for man's redemption. 



EASTER SUBJECTS 

57. THE FEAST OF EASTER 

"He is risen. Alleluia!" 

Introduction : 

The Resurrection is the crowning mystery 
of the Incarnation. "If Christ be not risen 
again . . . then your faith is vain." (1 
Cor. xv. 14.) 

Before the Resurrection on Easter Day 
(on Earth) : 

Consider the sepulcher. Jesus' body still in 
the icy grasp of death. 

Angels keep watch within that sanctuary, 
the Roman soldiers guard it without. 

The disciples of Jesus are still in Jerusalem 
and its suburbs, either praying and sor- 
rowing, "sleeping for sorrow," or pre- 
paring the spices to embalm His body. 

Our Blessed Lady awaits her Divine Son 
with confidence, for it is the "third 
day," on which her Son must rise again. 

Jesus' enemies — the chief priests — still exult 
in their evil deed. Some are busy in 
the temple, preparing to offer sacrifice 
to Jehovah as soon as the sun rises. 

Jesus Comes from Hades. 

He is accompanied by the souls from Hades. 

They are full of joy. Their long waiting 

is over. 
We may presume that He allows them to 

contemplate His lacerated body, to see the 

effects of their sins. 

122 



The Feast of Easter 123 

Then, in their presence, His holy soul en- 
ters that dead body, and instantly He 
rises glorious from His tomb. 

Angels and saints adore Him. 

Easter in Heaven. 

God the Father rejoices that man's redemp- 
tion is accomplished. 

The angels around His throne adore; now 
they understand better the mystery of the 
Incarnation. 

Easter in Hell. 

Satan fears ; he knows that he has outwitted 
himself in urging the Jews to crucify the 
Lord of Life. 

He knows, too, that his time for ruining 
souls must, before long, come to an end. 
Jesus has conquered. Satan knows for 
certain that He is indeed the Son of God. 

Application : 

What stupendous mysteries have taken 
place unknown to mortals or known to a 
few only ; e.g., the Incarnation, Resurrec- 
tion, Ascension, Transubstantiation. 

How insignificant are all earthly things in 
comparison with eternal realities ! 

Be it ours to live in the spirit of the "Sur- 
sum corda" especially during the holy sea- 
son of Easter, which should draw our 
thoughts heavenward, "where Christ sit- 
teth at the right hand of God." 



124 Easter Subjects 

58. JESUS' GLORIFIED BODY 

"The shape of His countenance was al- 
tered." "His face did shine as the sun, and 
His raiment became white and glittering" 
(Matt, xvii; Mark ix; Luke ix.) 
Introduction : 

What is said of Jesus at His Transfigura- 
tion holds good of His glorified body when 
He rose from the dead. If, on Easter Day, 
"the guards were struck with terror, and be- 
came as dead men" when they saw an angel, 
whose "countenance was as lightning and 
his raiment white as snow" (Matt, xxviii. 
3), what must have been the manifestation 
of the Risen Lord of the angels had He not 
concealed it in consideration for man's weak- 
ness? Consider the four qualities of Jesus' 
glorified body. 
Impassibility. 

Hence no longer subject to 

Hunger and thirst, cold and heat, weari- 
ness and pain. 
Subtility. 
Jesus' glorified body is no longer subject to 
the laws of nature. Matter can not im- 
pede His progress. 
Thus He passed out of the sepulcher before 

the stone was rolled away. 
Jesus' body was henceforth invisible to hu- 
man eyes, unless He willed to manifest 
Himself. 



Jesus' Glorified Body 125 

Moreover, He could and did assume "an- 
other shape' ' or appearance on certain oc- 
casions; e.g., to St. Mary Magdalen, to 
the disciples of Emmaus. 

Clarity. 

This was its natural state, but He veiled His 
majesty. St. John, who, in a glorious vi- 
sion, was privileged to see "the Son of 
man," thus describes Him: "His head 
and His hairs were white, as white wool 
and as snow ; His eyes were as a flame of 
fire. And His feet like unto fine brass as 
in a burning furnace . . . and His face 
was as the sun shineth in his power." 
(Apoc. i. 14.) 

No human comparisons can express Jesus' 
glory. 

Agility. 

In virtue of this quality the glorified body 
is not bound by laws that regulate time 
and space. He moves as the lightning 
which flashes across the heavens. 

Application : 

We adore this glorified body in heaven, 
where one day we hope to contemplate it. 

The Eucharistic species veil this same glori- 
ous body. 

Our bodies will also have these qualities, if 
we attain to the resurrection of the just. 



126 Easter Subjects 

59. "RISEN WITH CHRIST" 

"Therefore, if ye be risen with Christ, seek 
the things that are above, where Christ is sit- 
ting at the right hand of God. Mind the 
things that are above, not the things that are 
upon earth. For you are dead and your life 
is hid with Christ in God. . . . Mortify, there- 
fore, your members which are upon the earth/' 
(Col. iii. 1-5.) 

Introduction : 

In these terse, pregnant words, St. Paul sets 
before us the great lesson taught by Our 
Lord's resurrection. Consider the passage 
in detail. 

"Therefore, if Ye be Risen with Christ." 

Hence the Christian can rise with Christ. 

Rising with Christ connotes : 

Living in the light of eternal realities. 
Cf. "We look not at the things seen, 
but at the things which are not seen." 
(2 Cor. iv. 18.) The former are "eter- 
nal," the latter "temporal." 
Holding the things of earth lightly, ready 
to give them up at our Master's bidding, 
using them only for His glory. 
Among "the things that are upon 
earth" we must include pleasures, 
riches, legitimate joys, health — even 
life itself. 



"Risen With Christ" 127 

"Seek the Things that Ake Above." 

"Seek" with set purpose to find the object of 
our search: without counting labor and 
suffering, which that search involves. 
"The things above"; i.e., 

The society of the redeemed, of our loved 
ones who have gone before, of our Im- 
maculate Mother. 
The sacred humanity of Jesus. 
The beatific vision of God for ever. 

"For You Are Dead." 

The dead are indifferent to things of earth. 

The dead need not the things of earth. 

The Christian, by detachment from these 
things and by using them for a higher end 
than mere bodily, personal satisfaction, 
shows that he is dead to the world. 

Mortify, therefore, Your Members; i.e., 

Your body with its senses. 
Your soul with its evil passions. 

This involves strength, which is granted 
to prayer; willingness to suffer; being 
vigilant when Nature opposes grace; 
setting before us the example of our 
Risen Saviour. 
Application : 

Examine to which earthly things we are very 
much alive. Renounce these things, in so 
far as they prevent us from rising with 
Christ. 



128 Easter Subjects 

60. APPARITION OF OUR LORD TO 
ST. MARY MAGDALEN 

"Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning 
saith to Him: Rabboni" (John xx. 16.) 

Introduction : 

Consider the circumstances : Having rested 
on the Sabbath day, St. Mary Magdalen 
goes to the sepulcher very early on the first 
day of the week. She finds the grave empty, 
and immediately runs to tell SS. Peter and 
John. She returns to the sepulcher and, 
when these two apostles leave, Mary Mag- 
dalen remains in the garden close to the 
sepulcher, weeping. There, Jesus reveals 
Himself to her. 

St. Mary Magdalen's Love for Our Blessed 
Lobd. 

It led her to stand by the cross braving hu- 
miliation for His sake. 
It led her to render Him loyal service by 

Preparing the ointments to embalm His 
body. 

Going early to the sepulcher to accom- 
plish her labor of love. 

Remaining by the sepulcher weeping and 
inconsolable when she found not her 
Lord's body. 

Being ready to attempt the impossible — 
to remove His body unaided. 



Apparition to St. Mary Magdalen 129 

Gladly giving His message to the dis- 
ciples. 

Persevering even when her testimony was 
rejected. 

Jesus Rewarded Her Love. 

He revealed Himself to her before showing 
Himself to any of the other disciples. 

He filled her soul with inexpressible joy 
when He called her by her name, "Mary." 

He sent her as His messenger to His apos- 
tles. 

He willed that the story of her loyalty should 
be handed down to all generations (in the 
Sacred Scriptures). 

What Lessons May We Learn from This 
Apparition or Jesus to St. Mary Mag- 
dalen? 

To atone for past sins by deeper love. 

To confess our faith generously and cour- 
ageously. 

To give our Divine Master loyal, devoted 
service. 

To love our Blessed Lady and sympathize 
with her as the Mother of Sorrows. 

To be His messengers to our brethren. 

To persevere in works of zeal, even when 
we meet with rebuffs. 

All who seek Our Lord earnestly never fail 
to find Him. 



130 Easter Subjects 

61. JESUS APPEARS TO THE APOSTLES 
ON EASTER DAY 

"Now, when it was late that same day, and 
the doors were shut, where the disciples were 
gathered together for fear of the Jews, Jesus 
came and stood in the midst, and said to them: 
Peace be to you! 9 (John xx. 19.) 

Introduction : 

Consider what had preceded on that ever- 
memorable day. The women had an- 
nounced that the tomb was empty; then 
Jesus appeared to them and sent them to 
the disciples as His messengers. Later, He 
was seen by Peter, and, toward nightfall, the 
disciples of Emmaus had returned and re- 
lated their story. Tense expectancy filled 
every soul there present; suddenly Jesus 
Himself stood in their midst. 

Who Deigns to Visit These Disciples? 
Jesus, their loved Master, whom they had 

treated so ungenerously. 
One who had broken the bands of death. 
The Son of God in His glorified humanity. 
Their Saviour, who had shed His blood for 

them. 

How Does He Treat Them? 

With infinite tenderness, instantly calming 

their fears. 
With loving familiarity, inviting them to see 
and touch His hands and feet. 



Jesus Appears to the Apostles 131 

With confidence in their loyalty, since on 
this first apparition He entrusts them 
with the ministry of reconciliation. 

With boundless generosity, filling them with 
joy, bequeathing them His peace. 

The Effects of This Manifestation of 
the Risen Saviour. 

The apostles were at first filled with fear, 
for man ever shrinks from contact with 
that which is supernatural or spiritual. 
They thought they saw a spirit. 

Joy and peace, His precious gifts, filled their 
souls, and banished the confusion they 
would — after their desertion — naturally 
feel. 

Unalterable confidence in Him who had 
overcome death — even as He had pre- 
dicted. 

Spiritual enlightenment as to the meaning 
of the prophecies of the Old Testament 
and of Our Lord concerning His passion, 
death, and resurrection. 

Deeper love and unswerving loyalty to Je- 
sus, who had called them to follow Him. 

Application : 

In holy communion Jesus "our Hidden 
God" deigns to visit our souls. 

He then gives us special proofs of His love, 
even as He gave the apostles proofs of it. 

We, too, can live in the joy and peace of 
God, provided we resist sin. 



132 Easter Subjects 

62. THE JOY OF THE DISCIPLES 

"The disciples, therefore, were glad when 
they saw the Lord/' (John xx. 20.) 

Introduction : 

Contrast the crushing sorrow of the dis- 
ciples on Good Friday with their overwhelm- 
ing j°y in Jesus' resurrection. What an 
abyss separates these two states of soul! 

Jesus Had Fulfilled His Promises, There- 
fore They Rejoiced. 

On Maundy Thursday He made them three 
promises : 
"Your sorrow shall be turned into joy." 
"I will see you again." 
"Your joy no man shall take from you." 
(Johnxvi. 22.) 

They Rejoiced "in the Lord"; i.e., for 
Their Diyine Master's Sake. 

He had passed through the portals of death 
and returned to them. 

He could die no more. 

He had gloriously conquered His earthly 
foes. 

Henceforth He could not suffer. 

He rejoiced in having accomplished His Fa- 
ther's will, and they shared His joy. 

His work of founding the kingdom of God 
upon earth was not overthrown. 



The Joy of the Disciples 133 

They Rejoiced for Their Own Sakes. 
Their Master had forgiven them freely ; He 

even condescended still to call them His 

"brethren." 
He confirmed them in their sublime calling; 

they were still to be His witnesses, even 

to "the ends of the earth/ 5 and — through 

their successors — to "the consummation of 

all things." 
His glorious Resurrection was a gage that 

they too should rise. 

Our Blessed Lady's Joy on Easter Day. 
What ecstasy filled her pure soul as she 

looked upon His glorious body! 
As her sorrow had been vast and deep as an 

ocean, so her joy was commensurate. 
She rejoiced in seeing part of the prophecies 

of the angel Gabriel, of Simeon, fulfilled. 
She looked forward to the eternal reign of 

her Son — His kingdom should have no 

end. 

Application: 

As joy is one of the distinctive Easter vir- 
tues, all Christians should rejoice when 
this holy season comes round. 

Even though bending beneath the burden of 
the cross, the faithful can rejoice unself- 
ishly in the joy of their Divine Master: 
"Death shall no more have dominion over 
Him." (Rom. vi. 9.) 



134 Ea#ter Subjects 

63. OUR LORD'S PROMISES TO HIS 
DISCIPLES 

"It is expedient for you that I go. JJ (John 
xvi. 7.) 

Introduction : 

In the discourse in the Cenacle, Jesus con- 
soled His apostles by explaining that His 
departure was expedient for them. We 
may consider two of the reasons which He 
gave them. 

"I Go to Prepare a Place for You." 

This preparation consists in 

His clothing us with sanctifying grace. 

His enabling us to acquire the Christian 
virtues. 

His purifying us more and more from sin. 

His detaching us by trials and interior en- 
lightenment from earthly things. 

His sanctifying our souls and bodies by 
His Eucharistic presence. 

"I Will Come Again and Take You to 
Myself, that Where I Am, You also 
May Be." 

He makes this promise as our Saviour, our 
Brother, our Friend. 

He comes to us by His grace, by the Holy 
Eucharist, by His inspirations and in 
prayer calling us to live for heaven. 



Our Lord's Promises to His Disciples 135 

He comes to us at the hour of death. 
This promised visit is 

A proof of His love. 

An incentive to vigilance. 

Our Lord Wills to Have us With Him. 

He expressed this desire in His prayer to 

the Father: "I will that they also 

whom Thou hast given Me, may be 

with Me." (John xvii. 24.) 

He desires that His disciples may see His 

glory, given Him by the Father. 
He wills that they should enjoy 
The beatific vision. 
The reward of their good works. 
He has an infinite love for His weak, sin- 
ful creatures. 
Even here upon earth He would have His 
own with Him; therefore 
He condescends to be their Divine 

Guest. 
He promises never to abandon them. 
He asks for their love in return for His. 

Application : 

Take Our Lord's promises as addressed to 
us personally. 

Ever desire the best gifts, and these are su- 
pernatural and enduring. 

Think oftener of Our Lord's coming. 



136 Easter Subjects 

64. CHRIST'S GIFT OF PEACE 

"Peace be to you. It is I: fear not! 9 
(Luke xxiv. 36.) 

Introduction : 

Jesus is "the Prince of Peace"; hence the 
angels sang their song of joy and peace over 
His manger; and Jesus, the Risen Saviour, 
bestows these precious gifts upon His dis- 
ciples. 

"Peace Be to You" Is Jesus' Easter Greet- 
ing. 

It coincides with the Aaronic blessing: 
"May the Lord bless and keep you and 
give you peace." 

The Church ever greets her children thus. 

During holy Mass, after confession, at 

the visitation of the sick ; in her prayers 

for the dead, she asks that they may 

"rest in peace." 

Jesus, by His Passion, Has Purchased 
Peace for Men. 
Hence peace was announced in Bethlehem. 
Solemnly promised on Maundy Thursday. 
Given on Easter Day. 

Divine Promises Concerning Peace: 

"Be of one mind . . . and the God of peace 
shall be with you." (Phil. iv. 9.) 



Christ's Gift of Peace 137 

"The God of peace shall crush Satan under 

your feet speedily." (Rom. xvi. 20.) 
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give 

unto you." (John xiv. 27.) 
"The fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, 

peace." (Gal. v. 22.) 
"The fruit of justice is sown in peace, to 

them that make peace." (James iii. 18.) 

Obstacles to Peace: 

Deliberate sin — "no peace for the wicked." 
A state of tepidity. 
Inordinate attachment to 
Temporal possessions. 
Creatures. 
Our own will. 
Selfishness and jealousy. 
Disobedience to the voice of God calling the 
soul to a higher life; e.g., to enter Re- 
ligion. None can resist God and be at 
peace. 

Application : 

Strive after the things that make for peace. 
Pray for this precious gift at holy Mass. 



138 Easter Subjects 

65. THE APPARITION TO THE DISCIPLES 
OF EMMAUS 

"He appeared in another shape to two of 
them walking, as they were going into the 
country. And they going told it to the rest: 
neither did they believe them." (Mark xvi.) 

Introduction : 

In this apparition, as in that to St. Mary 
Magdalen, Jesus appeared "in another 
shape." This explains why, in each case, 
Jesus was not recognized. A glorified body 
makes itself manifest; of its nature it is in- 
visible to human eyes. Further, it can as- 
sume other forms. 

The Disciples of Emmaus Before the Ap- 
parition. 

They left the company of the disciples gath- 
ered in Jerusalem. 

They spoke of their crucified Master. 

As they spoke of Him and discussed the de- 
tails of His passion, Jesus joined them. 

Their "eyes were held," the Risen Saviour 
did not will to reveal Himself at once. 

The Disciples During Our Saviour's Visit. 

Note their question: "Art Thou a lonely 
stranger?" (Tu solus per egrinus es?) or 
"Dwellest Thou alone in Jerusalem?" 
(Gk.) 

They confess their former faith in Jesus "the 
prophet," but hope no longer in Him. 



Apparition to the Disciples of Emmaus 139 

They relate the story of His crucifixion and 

the rumor of His resurrection and the 

vision of angels. 
They accept His reproof and listen to His 

exposition of the predictions of the Old 

Testament. 
With "hearts burning" within them, they 

constrain Him to accept hospitality. His 

eloquence has enthralled them. 
They sit down to table: "being not aware of 

it," they entertained not angels, but the 

Lord of the angels. 
Jesus makes Himself known to them in the 

breaking of bread. 

The Disciples After Jesus' Apparition. 

They return instantly to Jerusalem. 

They announce the glad tidings. 

Though not believed, they falter not in their 
testimony. 

They are rewarded by a second visit from 
their Risen Lord. "Whilst they were 
speaking, Jesus stood in the midst of them 
and said: Peace be to you; it is I, fear 
not." 

Application: 

Special blessings are promised to those who 
converse about God: Cf. Mai. iii. 16, 17. 

Jesus has promised : "Where there are two 
or three gathered together in My Name, 
there am I in the midst of them." (Matt, 
xviii. 20.) 



140 Easter Subjects 

66. OUR DIVINE GUIDE 

"Jesus Himself also, drawing near, went 
with them." (Luke xxiv. 15,) 

Introduction : 

Life is a journey, it leads us along various 
paths. Now our way lies through easy, 
pleasant paths, now through rugged uphill 
tracks. Now we struggle against the win- 
try blast of adversity, now we bask in the 
sunshine of peace and joy. In all the vicis- 
situdes of life's journey, Jesus, drawing 
near, goes with us Himself. 

Jesus Draws Near to the Souls of the 
Faithful by the Divinely Appointed 
Channels of Grace ; e.g., 

In Baptism. 

When we receive the sacrament of Penance. 

In holy communion. 

By means of spiritual instructions. 

When we pray. 

By a life of union with the soul that responds 
to His call to go higher. 

Under What Circumstances Does Our Di- 
vine Guide Himself Draw Near? 
When we face dangers in obedience to His 
command; e.g., 
He walked on the water to go to the as- 
sistance of His disciples whom He had 
bidden cross the lake. 



Our Divine Guide 141 

When we are tempted. Thus Judas, Peter, 
and the apostles in Gethsemani were 
warned by Jesus. 

When we lose faith and hope; e.g., the dis- 
ciples of Emmaus. 

When we are in sorrow; e.g., His visit to 
Martha and Mary. 

When we seek Him; e.g., Zacheus, St. Mary 
Magdalen, the storm on the lake. 

When we die. Cf. "I will come and take 
you unto Myself." 

Our Divine Guide Comes to Us under Va- 
rious Forms ; e.g., 

As Saviour. As Consoler. 

As Brother. As Physician. 

As Friend. As Good Shepherd. 

As Counselor. As Model. 

As Teacher. As Food of our souls. 

Application : 

We must ever implore Him to "abide with 
us," for the time of our life's pilgrimage 
is further spent as our years go by. 

He desires us to constrain Him to remain 
with us. 

We must have full confidence in our Divine 
Guide and follow whithersoever His 
pierced hand leads us. 



142 Easter Subjects 

67. THE APPARITION TO ST. THOMAS 

"After eight days, again His disciples were 
within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, 
the doors being shut, and stood in the midst 
and said: Peace be to you/' (John xx. 26.) 

Introduction : 

This apparition brings into relief the mar- 
velous condescension of Jesus, who deigned 
to comply with the conditions laid down by 
His unbelieving apostle. 

St. Thomas's Faults: 

Thomas was not with his brethren on Easter 
Sunday when Jesus appeared to them. 
We may presume that the faith of those 
who had seen Our Lord jarred upon his 
incredulity. 

He refused to accept the testimony of the 
holy women and of St. Peter. 

He presumed to lay down the conditions un- 
der which he would believe. 

His incredulity had in it an element of ob- 
stinacy. 

St. Thomas's Punishment. 

He was deprived for eight days of the joy 

of seeing his Risen Lord. 
Jesus humbled him by offering to comply 

with the condition which St. Thomas had 

laid down. 



The Apparition to St. Thomas 148 

St. Thomas's Repakation. 

He acknowledged Jesus as his Lord and 
God, thus publicly atoning for his incred- 
ulity and obstinacy. 

Lessons We May Learn from This Appari- 
tion of Our Lord to St. Thomas: 

To remain united with our brethren in 
Christ, lest we lose God's graces. 

To distrust our own judgment. 

To acknowledge a fault frankly. 

That God can bring good out of evil. Thus 
St. Thomas's incredulity was the occasion 
of Our Lord's uttering that blessing which 
is given to every believer: "Blessed are 
they that have not seen, and have be- 
lieved." 

Frequently to repeat St. Thomas's act of 
faith, "My Lord and my God." 2 

Never to lay down our conditions to God. 

lPope Pius X (Acta Stae Sedis May 18, 1907.) granted 
an indulgence of 7 years and 7 quarantines for each devout 
recital at the Consecration of the Mass, and when the Blessed 
Sacrament is exposed in times of Exposition. A plenary in- 
dulgence is granted monthly under the usual conditions, i. e., 
confession, communion and prayer for the Pope's inten- 
tions. 



144 Easter Subjects 

68. THE APPARITION BY THE SEA OF 
TIBERIAS 

"Jesus showed Himself . . . to the disciples 
at the Sea of Tiberias. . . . There were to- 
g ether: Simon Peter and Thomas . . . Na- 
thanael . . . the sons of Zebedee, and two 
others of His disciples/' (John xxi. 1, 2.) 

Introduction : 

During the interval between the Resurrec- 
tion and the Ascension, the apostles appear 
to have returned — at least, occasionally — to 
their callings. Hence, we find seven dis- 
ciples engaged in fishing. The two un- 
named disciples were probably apostles. 

Before Jesus Manifested Himself. 

These seven were united in charity and toil. 

St. Peter was their leader as usual. 

Their labor was fruitless : "That night they 
caught nothing." The Master had so or- 
dained it. 

Jesus Present and Unrecognized. 

He stands upon the shore and addresses 
them. 

They obey His command: "Cast the net 
on the right side of the ship." 

The multitude of fishes enclosed is the re- 
ward of their obedience. 

The net did not break ; He willed they should 
lose no portion of His gift. 



Apparition by the Sea of Tiberias 145 

Jesus Present and Recognized. 

Their "eyes were opened" by the result of 
their obedience ; they had caught "a mul- 
titude of fishes/' 

St. John, the beloved apostle, is the first to 
recognize Jesus; St. Peter, in his ardor, 
the first to go to Him. 

The others bring their catch to land. 

Jesus invites them to breakfast: He Him- 
self has prepared a meal miraculously. 

He deigns to serve them Himself. Though 
risen from the dead, He was in the midst 
of them "as He that serveth." (Luke 
xxii. 27.) 

The disciples, awed by His presence, keep 
silence during that meal. 

Application : 

Jesus comes to His own precisely when they 
most need Him. He can and will fruc- 
tify our labors for Him, in His own good 
time. 

Purity and love ever recognize the Lord, 
whatever "shape" He may assume. 

He deigns to prepare our meals, to serve us ; 
the food we eat is created by Him. 

In an instant, when we least expect it, God 
can bless the labors of long years. There- 
fore we must be content to toil on — leav- 
ing the results to Him — without ever 
yielding to discouragement. One sows, 
another reaps, and God rewards both. 



146 Easter Subjects 

69. CHRIST'S CHARGE TO ST. PETER 

"Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon , son of 
John, lovest thou Me more than these? He 
saith to Him: Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that 
I love Thee. He saith to him: Feed My 
lambs. He saith to him again: Simon, son 
of John, lovest thou Me? He saith to Him: 
Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee. 
He saith to him: Feed My lambs. He said 
to him the third time: Simon, son of John, 
lovest thou Me? Peter was grieved, because 
He had said to him the third time: Lovest 
thou Me? And he said to Him: Lord, 
Thou knowest all things: Thou knowest that 
I love Thee. He said to him: Feed My 
sheep/' (John xxi. 15-17.) 

Introduction: 

Contemplate the scene by the Lake of Ti- 
berias, when Jesus asked St. Peter for a 
triple confession of love, as a reparation for 
his triple denial. 

To Whom Did Our Lord Put the Ques- 
tion: "Lovest Thou Me More Than 
These?" 

To one of the chosen Twelve, one of the priv- 
ileged three apostles. 

To one who had made great protestations of 
love for his Divine Master. 

To one who, in spite of these protestations 
of fidelity, had denied his Lord thrice. 



Christ's Charge to St. Peter 147 

To one who had learned from his sad expe- 
rience how great was his weakness — 
how strong the power of the evil one. 

To one who, being pardoned, longed to atone 
for his momentary lack of courage. 

Why Did Jesus Thus Publicly Question 
His Apostle? 

To give St. Peter an occasion to repair his 

fault in presence of his fellow-apostles. 
To prove to all, by reinstating Peter as 

Head of the Church, that his sin was freely 

forgiven. 
To teach His disciples in all ages that 

greater love is the truest reparation for 

past sins. 
To teach all His disciples that He wills to 

be loved above all others. 

How Did Our Lord Reward St. Peter? 

By confirming him in his office of chief Pas- 
tor; confiding to him both the lambs and 
the sheep of the One Fold. 

By predicting Peter's martyrdom in his old 
age, thus giving him an assurance that 
ultimately he would lay down his life for 
the Gospel. 

Application : 

We should learn from St. Peter's example 
to repair our faults by loving more, to 
rise more humble after each sin, and to 
trust firmly in the Divine assurance of 
pardon. 



148 Easter Subjects 

70. "FOLLOW THOU ME" 

"Peter turning about, saw that disciple 
whom Jesus loved following . . . he saith to 
Jesus: Lord , and what shall this man do? 
Jesus saith to him: So I will have him to re- 
main till I come, what is it to thee? Follow 
thou Me" (John xxi. 20-22.) 

Introduction : 

St. Peter and St. John were intimate friends. 
Both were privileged disciples of Jesus, hav- 
ing received signal proofs of their Master's 
love. Therefore, when St. Peter had been 
told that he was to give his life for Jesus, 
he in all simplicity asked Jesus what the 
future reserved for John, his special friend. 

Jesus Reproves St. Peter's Curiosity. 

By declining to answer his question. 
Bidding him look to himself, and follow 
Him. 

By His Rebuke to St. Peter, Our Lord 
Teaches Us Not to Be Curious. 

Therefore we are not to examine the conduct 
of our fellows, still less to censure and con- 
demn them. 

We are not to seek to unveil the future, 
either for ourselves or those dear to us. 
Both we and they are in God's keeping, 
and those whom God keeps are well kept. 



"Follow Thou Me" 149 

He Teaches Us to Look to Ourselves. 
"Follow Thou Me." 

We must follow, even though we can not un- 
derstand the "why and the wherefore." 

We must follow when God leads us whither 
naturally we would not. 

We must follow Our Lord closely, con- 
stantly, and generously. 

The call is personal. "Follow thou" 
St. Peter was called by name: "Simon, 
son of John." 

The call is clear. Each soul who is faithful 
to the inspirations of grace and the 
teaching of Our Lord hears that divine 
call. 

"Follow thou Me." Jesus is our Divine 
Guide, the Good Shepherd, who "goeth 
before." 

Of all true disciples it can be said: "A 
stranger they follow not." 

"Lord, to whom shall we go," if not to Thee? 

Application : 

We follow Our Lord by imitating His vir- 
tues in our feeble measure. 

What virtue would He especially have us 
practise? 



150 Easter Subjects 

71. A SEARCHING QUESTION 

"Lovest thou Me more than these?" (John 
xxi. 15.) 

Introduction: 

The first and great commandment is: 
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with 
thy whole heart and with thy whole soul 
and with thy whole mind." (Matt. xxii. 
37.) Therefore God must have the prior 
place in our affections. Moreover, because 
Jesus laid down His life for men, thus giv- 
ing the greatest proof of love, He wills to 
be loved by them in return. 

The Question: "Lovest Thou Me?" 

God has a right to ask it since 
He is our Creator. 
He alone is worthy of our love. 
We depend on Him every instant of our 

lives. 
Jesus has redeemed us, and thus has a 

claim upon our love. 

Lovest Thou Me More Than These? 

Primarily this signifies "more than these 
others love Me." It is allowed to strive 
to emulate our neighbors in charity, and 
this emulation is compatible with humil- 
ity and fraternal charity. 

It is permissible to apply these words, "more 
than these," to all creatures — animate or 



A Searching Question 151 

inanimate; e.g., our friends, relatives, 
pleasures, comforts, interests, riches, 
health, even life itself. Lovest thou Me 
more than thou lovest these creatures? 

"Lord, Thou Knowest All Things." 

He knows all that concerns man — his past, 
present, and future; e.g., his desire to serve 
God, weak though it be; his efforts to 
overcome self; his frequent relapses; his 
real regret for these falls; the strength of 
Satan's temptations; the obstacles that 
block men's path to heaven. 

In Spite of Failures and Faults in the 
Past, the Soul Can, in All Humility, 
Confess: "Thou Knowest that I 
Love Thee." 

For Our Saviour knows "what is in man." 
He knows that we have 

A real desire to put Him first. 

An earnest longing to live for Him alone. 

A real zeal for souls. 

A yearning to see Him "face to face." 

Application : 

Learn to see God in all things. 
Learn to love God in all men. 
Learn to do His holy will in all things. 

This is the touchstone of love. 
Wherein does God come second or not at 
all? 



152 Easter Subjects 

72. "HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN"— I 

"The Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to 
them, was taken up into heaven and sitteth on 
the right hand of God" (Mark xvi. 19.) 

Introduction : 

Contemplate that scene enacted some nine- 
teen hundred years ago. Jesus leads His 
apostles and disciples out of the Holy City. 
He is about to leave them. Our Lady and 
the ministering women accompany. 

The Disciples Led to Mount Olivet. 

The little group of "one hundred and 
twenty" persons consisted of Jesus, Our 
Saviour; the eleven apostles, some dis- 
ciples, the Blessed Mother of God, and 
the ministering women. 
What mingled feelings filled their souls! 

Jesus could look back over the work of 
His life upon earth, to which He was 
about to set the seal. 

Mary could testify that all that had been 
predicted of and to her was accom- 
plished. 

The apostles now realize better what a 
sublime mission is theirs. Never had 
such a work been committed to men. 

The disciples and holy women realize what 
a glorious privilege has been theirs — 
that of knowing the Son of God in the 
flesh — and of being His followers. 



"He Ascended into Heaven'' — I 153 

Jesus and His apostles had passed along 
that road on the evening of Maundy 
Thursday, but under what different cir- 
cumstances ! 

Jesus Ascends from Mount Olivet. 

Before leaving them 

He renews His apostles' divine commis- 
sion. 
He blesses them visibly for the last time. 

A cloud received Him out of their sight. 

While they still gaze heavenward, two angels 
appear and promise that Our Lord will 
return one day in like manner. 

Meanwhile, adoring angels accompany their 
Lord and witness His enthronement as 
man in heaven. 

The Return from Mount Olivet. 

They went back adoring. 

They were filled with joy for their Master's 

triumph. 
United in charity and prayer, they waited 

for the coming of the Paraclete. 

Application : 

Learn to rejoice in Our Lord's glory. 

He has overcome and we shall one day share 
His triumph. 

The Ascension should teach us to live "look- 
ing up to heaven"; i.e., to think often of 
heaven and to long to enter upon the pos- 
session of our promised inheritance. 



154 Easter Subjects 

73. "HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN'— II 

"The Lord Jesus . . . was taken up into 
heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God" 
(Mark xvi. 19.) 

Introduction : 

See Jesus leading His own forth from the 
city, and contemplate Him in spirit as He 
ascends into heaven. 

He Led Them out of Jerusalem. 

Note that only to His disciples was He vis- 
ible. No enemy saw Him leading them. 
Yet He was in their midst. 

So now He ever leads His own: "When 
He hath let out His own sheep, He goeth 
before them." 

He often leads us — for our greater good — 
whither naturally we shrink from going. 

Love will impel us to follow Him. 

A Cloud Received Him out or Their 
Sight. 

So now "clouds" willed by Him conceal 
Him from us; e.g., 

Sorrows, bereavements, trials, tempta- 
tions, anxieties, spiritual desolation. 

The Eucharistic veils. 

Our superiors, who guide us in His name 
and by His authority. 



"He Ascended into Heaven" — II 155 

The Angels Ask: "Why Stand You 
Looking up to Heaven?" 

Were the question put to us, we could re- 

p J y- 

Because there is the throne of Our Lord, 
where He sits in glory. 

There, too, are our friends and brethren — 
the saints of God and our Mother. 

There is our treasure ; there are our hearts 
and thither are our eyes directed. 

Never must our conduct justify the nega- 
tive form of this question. 

The Disciples Went Back "Adoring" and 
Filled "with Great Joy." 

They had indeed entered into the joy of 

their Lord. 
They rejoiced for His sake: though they 

went back to face toil and dangers, it was 

for their Lord. 
The Christian — whatever be his trials — can 

always "rejoice in the Lord," in the 

thought that his loved Master can never 

suffer again. 

Application : 

Whatever sorrows oppress us, joy reigns in 

heaven. 
We shall one day enter that blessed realm. 
In heaven Jesus ever intercedes for us. 
Hence, in dark or bright days, "Sursum 

corda" 



156 Easter Subjects 

74. EARTH AND HEAVEN— A CONTRAST 

"These that are clothed in white robes, who 
are they? And whence came they? . . . 
These are they who are come out of great trib- 
ulation and have washed their robes . . . in 
the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are 
before the throne of God, and they serve Him 
day and night in His temple. . . . They shall 
no more hunger nor thirst; neither shall the 
sun fall on them, nor any heat . . . and God 
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes" 
(Apoc. vii. 13-17.) 

Introduction : 

St. John, of all the sacred writers, gives 
the most vivid descriptions of "the things 
to come, hereafter." Contrast earth and 
heaven. What an abyss separates them! 

Look Around upon the World. 

Men suffer in their bodies — from physical 
necessities — from diseases. 

Men suffer morally — anxieties, fears, sus- 
pense, oppressions, crimes, etc. 

Men suffer in their affections — ingratitude, 
neglect, dishonor, bereavements. 

Men suffer in their souls — remorse, tempta- 
tions, spiritual trials. 

All this weight of sorrows and pains is the 
result of sin, still it can be utilized for our 
sanctification and salvation. 



Earth and Heaven — a Contrast 157 

Look up to Heaven. 

There men's senses have their lawful and 

fullest satisfaction. 
God, like a tender mother, wipes away "all 

tears from their eyes" by removing the 

causes of sorrow. 
The saints serve God day and night, and 

find their eternal happiness in adoring 

Him. 
Their joy no man shall ever take from them. 

How Do the Saints in Heaven Look Back 
upon the Tribulations or Earth? 

As the means by which they attained to 
eternal life, through the grace of God. 

With gratitude (in so far as these tribula- 
tions were not due to their own sins) since 
God has so generously rewarded them for 
their sufferings. 

With gladness, inasmuch as these trials 
helped them to prove their love and to 
walk in the footsteps of their Crucified 
Saviour. 

With a realization of their transitoriness. 

Application : 

We should learn to look upon our trials now, 
as we shall look back upon them hereafter. 

Faith enables us to appreciate them at their 
true value (even as the saints did) , though 
it does not dispense us from feeling the 
weight of the cross when it bears us down. 



158 Easter Subjects 

75. JESUS' GIFTS TO MEN 

"The chariot of God is attended by ten thou- 
sands; thousands of them that rejoice. The 
Lord is among them in Sina, in the holy place. 
Thou hast ascended on high; Thou hast led 
captivity captive; Thou hast received gifts in 
men." (Ps. lxvii. 18.) 

Introduction : 

Thus David predicted the ascension of King 
Messias. Angels accompanied Him and 
adored Him enthroned in heaven as the 
"Son of man." There He received from 
His Heavenly Father gifts for men. What 
are these gifts? 

The Gift or Grace, both Sanctifying and 
Actual. 

These graces are a free gift of God. 

They come to us directly through the sacra- 
ments ; indirectly by the action of God on 
the soul. 

They are given as we need them. 

By our fidelity we can merit more graces. 

The Gift of Peace. 

This "passeth all understanding." 

It follows from man's being reconciled to 

God. 
Christ teaches us the things that are to our 

peace, when He visits our souls. 
Sin alone can rob the Christian soul of this 

precious gift. 



Jesus 9 Gifts to Men 159 

The Gift of Joy. 

The Christian rejoices in his Lord's victory- 
over death. 

He looks forward to his own glorious resur- 
rection. 

He ever rejoices in spirit, even in this val- 
ley of tears. 

The Gift of the Holy Spirit. 

It was expedient that Jesus should ascend, 
otherwise the Spirit would not have been 
given in all His fulness. 

By the Holy Spirit we are sanctified. 

The Gift of Heaven. 

By overcoming death, Jesus opened heaven 

to the faithful. 
He prepares "a mansion" there for us, and 

us for that mansion. 
The thought of heaven cheers us along lif e's 

highway. 
It should render "our conversation" (i.e., 

our lives) spiritual, as befits a future 

citizen of heaven. 

Application : 

Let us "be zealous for these best gifts." 
Ever utilize these precious gifts. 
Beware lest we lose them. 
Thank our Risen Saviour for these "un- 
speakable" gifts. 



160 Easter Subjects 

76. OUR GIFTS TO GOD 

"Providing good things, not only in the sight 
of God, but also in the sight of all men." 
(Rom. xii. 17.) 

Introduction : 

God showers His choicest gifts upon us: 
Jesus, having ascended, "received gifts for 
men." What return does He expect of us? 

God — from His Throne in Heaven — Re- 
joices in the Virtues of His Chil- 
dren. 

Thus we read in the Scriptures: 

"My delights are to be with the children 
of men." (Prov. viii. 31.) 

"Blessed be the Lord thy God, whom thou 
hast pleased." (3 Kings x. 9.) 

"They that deal faithfully please Him." 
(Prov. xii. 22.) 

Christians are God's "special possessions" 
or "treasures." (Mai. iii. 17.) 

God took pleasure in holy Job's fidelity: 
"Hast thou considered My servant Job, 
that there is none like him in the earth, 
a simple and upright man, and fearing 
God, and avoiding evil?" (Job i. 8.) 

The eight Beatitudes teach the same truth. 

We Must "Provide Good Things" in His 
Sight. 



Our Gifts to God 161 

These consist in 

Purity of intention, like holy Job. 

Obedience, like Abraham. 

Generosity, like the poor widow in the 

temple. 
Humility, like the publican in the temple. 
Courage, like the martyrs and confessors 

in all ages. 
Zeal, like the apostles. 
Purity, like our Blessed Lady. 
Charity, like all God's saints. 

Good Things in the Sight or Men. 

This inevitably follows if we provide good 

things before God. 
It is by serving our neighbor that we prove 

our love for God. 

Application : 

Not to offer to God that which costs us noth- 
ing. 

To offer our gifts generously and cheerfully. 

Never to take back what we have given to 
God. 



162 Easter Subjects 

77. "ABLE TO SUCCOR" 

"Wherein He Himself hath suffered and 
been tempted He is able to succor them also 
that are tempted." (Heb. ii. 18.) "For 
we have not a high priest who can not have 
compassion on our infirmities; but one tempted 
in all things like as we are, without sin" 
(Ibid. iv. 15.) 

Introduction : 

Contrast the two scenes : Jesus, in His hu- 
mility, submitting to be tempted by the devil. 
Jesus, our High Priest, interceding for us in 
the Holy of holies, the heavenly Jerusalem. 

Jesus, Our High Priest, Has Entered 
Heaven as Our Advocate. 

He entered not with the blood of animals, 

but with His own precious blood shed for 

us. 
His ministry is eternal. He ever pleads our 

cause. 
He knows each of His own, the force and 

number of their temptations. 
He bears our names engraved upon His 

hands. 

Our High Priest is "Merciful." 

Because made like unto us in all things, 
which includes passions, feelings, human 
longings. 

Because "He hath suffered, being tempted." 



"Able to Succor" 163 

Our High Priest is Faithful, hence 

His love never changes. 

His patience never fails. 

His intercession ever prevails. 

He never permits the temptation to exceed 
our strength, but ever makes "with temp- 
tation issue," that we "may be able to bear 
it." (1 Cor. x. 13.) 

It Is Therefore Our Duty: 

To "hold fast our confession" (sc. of faith). 
To go "with confidence to the throne of 

grace." 
When we are tempted. 
When we are discouraged. 
When we are desolate. 
To pray earnestly "for mercy and grace in 

seasonable aid." 
To trust our High Priest in our darkest 

hours. 
Even to rejoice when tempted, knowing 

that God allows temptation to overtake 

us that we may win our crown of glory 

and show ourselves to be His faithful 

servants. 



WHITSUN SUBJECTS 

78. THE PERSON AND THE WORK OF 
THE HOLY GHOST 

"Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John xx. 
22.) "They were all filled with the Holy 
Ghost" (Acts ii. 4.) 

Introduction: 

Contrast the three scenes which took place in 
the Cenacle. 

Jesus before His passion promising to 

send the Paraclete. 
Jesus after His Resurrection giving His 

apostles the first fruits of the Spirit. 
Jesus after His Ascension sending the 
Holy Ghost upon His disciples. 

Who Is the Holy Ghost? 

The Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. 
Therefore equal to the Father and the Son. 

Work or the Holy Ghost. 

In the Catholic Church. 

To bring to the apostles' minds the words 
and doctrine of Christ. 

To reveal Christ to the Church, and thus 
glorify the Son. 

To abide in the Church in all ages. 

To intercede for the Church. 
In the Christian Soul. 

To sanctify it more and more. 

To guide it in the paths of virtue. 

164 



Person and Work of the Holy Ghost 165 

To enlighten that soul in spiritual things. 
To dwell in the soul as in His temple. 
To comfort and sustain the soul. 
To pray in, with, and for the Christian 
soul. 
Toward Sinners. 

To convince them of sin, justice, and 
judgment. 

Our Duties Toward the Holy Ghost. 

Never to "grieve," "quench/' or "resist" the 

Spirit. 
To pray for His guidance. 
To keep our souls pure because they are His 

temples. 
To obey His inspirations. 

Application : 

Pray for and cultivate a devotion to the 
Holy Spirit, by whom we are "sealed unto 
Salvation." 



166 Whitsun Subjects 

79. THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST— I 

"The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him; 
the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the 
spirit of counsel and of fortitude, the spirit of 
knowledge and of godliness . . • and the fear 
of the Lord." (Is. xi. 2, 3.) 

Introduction : 

The prophet thus describes how the Spirit 
of the Lord would rest upon Our Blessed 
Lord. This same Spirit communicates 
these gifts to men. Like all other spiritual 
gifts and graces, they have been purchased 
for us by the precious blood. 

Excellence or These Gifts. 

They perfect the whole of man's being 
By enlightening his intelligence. 
By sanctifying his soul. 
By uniting his will to that of God. 

Four Gifts Enlighten the Soul. 

Wisdom, which is "better than gold." 
(Prov. xvi. 16.) 
Based on the "fear of the Lord." (Ibid. 

i.7.) 
The perfection of all the other gifts. 
It enables the soul 

To relish eternal truths. 

To seek first the kingdom of God. 



The Gifts of the Holy Ghost— I 167 

Understanding , which enables the soul to 
understand the hidden things of God 
as revealed to the Church 

By the Scriptures. 

By the direct action of the Holy Spirit. 
Counsel enlightens the soul as to what is ex- 
pedient 

For its spiritual interests. 

For the interests of the Church. 

Checks man's natural impulsiveness. 
Knowledge "is a fountain of life to him that 
possesseth it." (Pro v. xvi. 22.) 

It helps us to use the things of earth in 
view of our salvation. 

It reveals to us the obligations of our 
Faith. 

It removes vain fears, doubts, and ignor- 
ance. 

It helps us to know God's will. 

Application: 

We should "be zealous" for these better 
gifts, and pray earnestly for them. 

We have a {ght or "title" to them in virtue 
of our Confirmation. 

These gifts can be perfected by prayer and 
study. 



168 WUtswn Subjects 

80. THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST— II 

"Labor as a good soldier of Christ" (2 
Tim. ii. 3.) "Godliness is profitable to all 
things." (1 Tim. iv. 8.) "The fear of the 
Lord, that is wisdom" (Job xxviii. 98.) 

Intkoduction : 

In these passages, we have allusions to the 
three gifts of the Spirit — Fortitude, Piety, 
and Fear of the Lord — which contribute to 
the healing of those wounds of the soul which 
are the consequences of the fall of man. 
These gifts are necessary for salvation. 

Fortitude. 

This helps the Christian to endure hardships 
for Christ's sake ; e.g., 
To bear sufferings, moral, physical, and 

spiritual. 
To profess his faith before the world. 
To control his sinful inclinations and pas- 
sions. 
To persevere in the practice of virtue. 
This gift of fortitude was 

Practised by the confessors and martyrs. 
Practised by Jesus during His passion. 
We need it when tempted by the devil and 

at the hour of death. 
This gift is bestowed upon us in a special 
manner by the sacrament of Confirma- 
tion. 



The Gifts of the Holy Ghost— II 169 

Piety. 

This enables us to serve God with devotion 

and pleasure. 
By it we practise our religion more easily. 
By it we have a real love for supernatural 

things. 
By it we become zealous for God's honor. 
By it we bear patiently with our neighbors' 

faults for God's sake. 

Fear or the Lord. 

This filial fear keeps us from sin. 
Further, it enables us 

To overcome human respect. 

To keep our true place as creatures, de- 
pendent upon God. 

To watch and pray lest we fall into sin. 

To stand in awe of God's judgments. 

Application : 

We should carefully treasure these gifts of 
the Spirit, because 
They are necessary for salvation, since we 
are told that 
"God loveth none but him that dwelleth 

with wisdom." (Wis. vii. 28.) 
"He that is without fear can not be jus- 
tified." (Eccles. i. 28.) 
They make us pleasing to God. 
They enable us to imitate Our Blessed 
Lord. 



170 Whitstm Subjects 

81. LIVING TEMPLES OF THE HOLY 
GHOST 

"He spoke of the temple of His body. 3 ' 
(John ii. 21.) "Know you not that you are 
the temple of God and that the Spirit of God 
dwelleth in you. But if any man violate the 
temple of God, him shall God destroy. For 
the temple of God is holy, which you are/' ( 1 
Cor. iii. 16, 17.) 

Introduction : 

By the infusion of sanctifying grace in Bap- 
tism God dwells in the soul, which thus be- 
comes His earthly temple. 

Consider the Building or Solomon's Tem- 
ple. 

A free-will offering of the Jews to God. 
The plan and every detail given by God, 
who gave special skill to the "artificers." 
Stones hewn and sculptured in the quarries, 
that no noise might be heard in the 
building of the temple. 
Destined to be 

A house of prayer. 
A place of sacrifice. 
A dwelling-place for Jehovah. 
God, by a visible sign of His presence (when 
His glory filled the house of the Lord) , 
took possession of His sanctuary, glad 
to dwell in the midst of His people. 



Living Temples of the Holy Ghost 171 

The Christian Soul is God's Living Tem- 
ple. 

Founded on faith. 

Built up by religious instruction. 

Cemented by charity. 

Beautified by the practice of virtues. 

Dedicated in Baptism. 

Sealed in Confirmation. 

The dwelling-jllace of the Divinity. 

By sanctifying grace. 

By the Holy Eucharist. 
Offered freely to God. 
God loves to dwell therein. 
When defiled by sin, it is purified by repent- 
ance and the sacrament of Penance. 

Each Christian Soul Is "a Living Stone" 
Destined for the Heavenly Temple. 

It is hewn from earth's quarries. 
It is prepared for its place there by 
God's grace and man's co-operation. 
The practice of virtue and tribulations. 
It is more perfectly purified in purgatory, 
whence it is transferred to its place in 
heaven. 

Application: 

Render to God a service of praise and sacri- 
fice in the temple of the soul, His dwell- 
ing-place. 



172 Whitsun Subjects 

82. LIVING SACRIFICES 



«i 



C I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the 
mercy of God, that you present your bodies 
a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing unto God, your 
reasonable service. And be not conformed to 
this world; but be reformed in the newness of 
your mind" (Rom. xii. 1, 2.) 

Introduction : 

Sacrifice is the central act of worship. By- 
it we recognize our dependence upon God. 
Prescriptions concerning the qualifications 
and preparation of the victims were given 
by God Himself to Moses. 

"Present Your Bodies a Living Sacrifice." 
By labor, endurance of suffering and hard- 
ships. 
Holy, pleasing to God by purity of soul and 

body. 
"Our reasonable service, 3 ' since we 
Are God's creatures. 
Redeemed by the precious blood. 
They should be presented, because God asks 
for the free-will service of His children. 
Like the sacrifices in the temple, our offer- 
ing should be offered daily to God. 
Thus we justify our right to the title — "a 
holy priesthood." 

"Be Not Conformed to This World." 
This involves living as "strangers and pil- 



Living Sacrifices 173 

grims" upon earth, hence the Christian 
must not cling to earthly things, such as 
beauty, fame, success, riches, pleasures, 
human opinion — in a word, all the things 
which the world esteems and seeks. 

"Be Renewed in the Newness of Your 
Mind." 

This involves 

Looking upon earth and all it offers from 
the standpoint of eternity. 

Being "fervent in spirit, serving the 
Lord." 

Giving God generously whatever He asks. 

Presenting, in addition, our free-will of- 
ferings. 

Application : 

We must resolve never to suffer any "rap- 
ine" in our holocausts and be willing to 
offer to our God that which costs us some- 
thing. 

The "mercy of God" merits our whole- 
hearted service. How much we have re- 
ceived from Him! How little we can of- 
fer in return! 



THE BLESSED TRINITY 

83. ON THE BLESSED TRINITY 

"Blessed be the Holy and Undivided Trin- 
ity, now and for ever'' 

Introduction : 

Throughout eternity, the redeemed will cele- 
brate the grandeurs of the Blessed Trinity. 
The whole Church Triumphant — saints and 
angels — sing their Trisagion "to Him that 
sitteth upon the throne. " 

The Faithful Are Children of God. 

Therefore they are bound to honor their 

Heavenly Father by 
Reverencing His Holy Name. 
Adoring His Divine Majesty. 
Obeying His commands promptly and 

constantly. 
Believing His word as revealed by the 

Scriptures and the Church. 
Hoping firmly in Him. 
Loving Him before all and above all. 

The Faithful Have Been Ransomed by 
the Precious Blood of Christ. 

What are their duties toward their Re- 
deemer? 

Gratitude for all His love. 

Self-oblation, as befits those "purchased 
at a great price/' 

174 



On the Blessed Trinity 175 

Horror of sin, since sin caused His death. 

Loyalty to His cause. 

Courage to confess Him before men. 

Zeal to make Him known. 

Devotion to the passion and to the Holy 

Eucharist. 
Love, which comprises all else. 

The Faithful Are Sanctified by the 
Holy Spirit. 

Hence it behooves them to honor Him 
By fidelity to grace. 
By a real desire of holiness. 
By a love of purity, for they are His tem- 
ples. 
By loving intercourse with Him, invoking 
Him 
In their efforts to attain virtue. 
In their temptations. 
By counting upon His intercession. 
By trusting in His guidance. "He will 
teach you all truth." (John xvi. 13. ) 

Application : 

Honor the Three Persons of the Blessed 
Trinity by worshiping and serving Them 
with the three powers of our soul. 

Recite the Doxologies frequently and rev- 
erently. 



176 The Blessed Trinity 

84. THE WORSHIP OF GOD 

"Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and 
Him only shalt thou serve" (Luke iv. 8.) 

Introduction : 

Contemplate the wonderful scene of the ded- 
ication of Solomon's temple when, Solomon 
having "made an end of his prayer, fire came 
down from heaven, and consumed the holo- 
causts and the victims. And the majesty 
of the Lord filled the house. Neither could 
the priests enter into the temple of the Lord, 
because the majesty of the Lord had filled 
the temple." Then the people, seeing the 
fire and the glory of the Lord coming down, 
prostrated themselves "upon the stone pave- 
ment, they adored and praised the Lord 
. . . because His mercy endureth for ever." 
(2 Paral. vii. 1-3.) 

In What the Worship or God Consists: 

In praising Him. 

In honoring Him. 

In making His name known. 

In serving Him. 

God Created Man for His Glory. 

"I have created him for My glory; I have 
formed him and made him." ( Is. xliii. 7. ) 

Man must worship God with the three pow- 
ers of his soul and render Him exterior 
homage, likewise because he is God's crea- 



The Worship of God 177 

ture and in obedience to God's precept, 

"Thou shalt worship," etc. 
He will— -if redeemed — praise God forever 

in heaven: such is the noble end of man. 
Jesus, our Model, glorified His Father upon 

earth. (John xvii. 1.) 

The Church Militant Continually Glo- 
rifies God. 

By the holy sacrifice of the Mass. 
By her daily Office, especially "Lauds." 
By her liturgical prayers. 
By "the eminent holiness" of some of her 
children. 

Sin Robs God of His Glory by Attacking 
His Infinite Perfections ; e.g., 

Hatred attacks His love. 
Harshness attacks His mercy and compas- 
sion. 
Anger attacks His patience. 
Sloth attacks His divine activity. 
Lying attacks His truth. 
Pride attacks His majesty. 
Disobedience attacks His divine paternity. 

Application: 

St. Paul sums up man's duties to God in 
these pregnant words: "Whether you 
eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do 
all for the glory of God. Be without of- 
fence ... to the Church of God." (1 
Cor. x. 31, 32.) 



178 The Blessed Trinity 

85. GODS LOVE FOR MAN 

"They shall know that I have loved thee!' 
(Apoc. iii. 9.) 

Introduction : 

God gives men continual proofs of His love 
for them. He has created them to His im- 
age and likeness and at each instant sustains 
them in life. God the Son redeemed them 
"at a great price/ 5 He ever intercedes for 
them in heaven. God the Holy Ghost sanc- 
tifies them, thus enabling them to profit by 
Jesus' Redemption. 

"They Shall Know that I Have Loved 
Thee." 

"They" includes 

The world that despises and persecutes 
the disciples of Jesus Christ. 

The enemies who procured the crown of 
martyrdom for so many. 

The devils who strive to compass men's 
ruin. 
How the world, the persecutors, and the dev- 
ils will be confounded on seeing what 
great rewards they indirectly were the 
means of procuring for the saints (no 
persecutors, no martyrs) ! One object 
of the General Judgment will be to 
prove to the world that God has loved 
His elect. 



God's Love for Man 179 

God Loves Us Because 

On His part 

Of His infinite goodness. 

We are made to His image. 

We are His adopted children. 
On our part, He wills to find motives; e.g., 

"Thou hast a little strength." 

"Thou hast kept My word." 

"Thou hast not denied My name." 

"Thou hast kept the word of My pa- 
tience." 

Above all, we are purchased by the pre- 
cious blood. 

Our very need, likewise, appeals to His 
loving compassion. 

We Must Render Him Love for Love. 

It is the only adequate return we can make. 
Love alone will satisfy our God, who "is 

love." 
Love alone gives true peace and happiness 

upon earth. 
Love of God constitutes the bliss of heaven. 

Application : 

Love is proved by deeds. We must let the 
world know, by the holiness of our lives, 
that we are striving to requite God for 
His love of us. 



180 The Blessed Trinity 

86. "WORTHY OF GOD" 

"That you may walk worthy of God, in all 
things pleasing, being fruitful in every good 
work, and increasing in the knowledge of 
God." (Col. i. 10.) 

Introduction : 

How far beyond man's power to "walk 
worthy of God," but for the abundant grace 
given to all who seriously try to put this 
precept of the Apostle in practice. After 
all, it but re-echoes that of Our Lord: "Be 
you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly 
Father is perfect." (Matt. v. 48.) 

"In All Things Pleasing" to God. 

We attain to this by 

Doing always what pleases God in imita- 
tion of Our Lord. 
Avoiding all sin, especially mortal sin. 

Fruitful in Every Good Work. 

Thus we become true disciples. Cf. "In 
this is My Father glorified, that you 
bring forth very much fruit and become 
My disciples." (John xv. 8.) 
"Good work" embraces 

Prayer, both public and private. 
Pasting, which includes all acts of pen- 
ance whether enjoined or voluntary. 



"Worthy of God" 181 

Alms-deeds, which covers all acts of char- 
ity* spiritual or corporal (as given in 
the "corporal" and "spiritual" works of 
mercy). 

Increasing in the Knowledge of God. 

By hearing sermons and instructions. 
By spiritual reading, e.g., 
Devotional works. 
Lives of saints. 
By meditating on the mysteries of our faith. 
By thirsting for spiritual knowledge, to 
which "the kingdom of heaven" is 
promised hereafter. 

Application : 

Lest the vastness of the precept, "Walk 
worthy of God," overwhelm us, we must 
bear in mind that, in practice, it means 
diligently performing the duty which each 
moment brings. 

God always gives the grace necessary to 
assist us in performing this duty of the 
moment, whatever it be. As our "day" 
so will be our strength. 



<< 



THE BLESSED EUCHARIST 

87. THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 

"Take ye and eat. This is My body." 
Behold I am with you all days, even to the 
consummation of the world/' (Matt. xxvi. 
26; xxviii. 20.) 

Introduction : 

Contemplate that sublime scene in the Cen- 
acle on Maundy Thursday, when Jesus, the 
Bread of Life, fulfilled His promise to the 
disciples, and gave them His flesh to eat and 
His blood to drink. Then, that He might 
be with His Church "even to the consumma- 
tion of the world," He gave them power to 
offer this holy sacrifice of the Mass. 

The Blessed Sacrament is the Central 
Devotion or the Church. 

Thus, in its honor, she has various practices 
of devotion. 

First and foremost, holy Mass, offered in 
obedience to Our Lord's command: 
"Do this for a commemoration of Me." 

Benediction and Exposition. 

The practice of private visits to the 
Blessed Sacrament, to encourage which 
she keeps her churches open daily. 

Processions and guilds in honor of the 
Blessed Sacrament. 

Religious Congregations, whose members' 
chief occupation is to adore Our Lord 
under the Eucharistic species. 

182 



The Blessed Sacrament 183 

She obliges her children to receive holy 
communion once a year and exhorts 
them to receive it frequently, even daily. 

i 

Dispositions Which Befit the Christian 
When Adoring the Holy Eucharist: 

Firm faith. Jesus, the Eternal Truth, has 
said, "This is My body." 

Hope in Our Lord's infinite power, and fidel- 
ity to His promises: "He that eateth 
this bread shall live forever." 

Charity, proved by obedience to His will in 
all things. 

Reverence, interior and exterior. 

Purity of soul, seeing that by holy com- 
munion Jesus Himself takes up His abode 
in our souls. 

Humility, for we are not worthy that He 
should come under our roof, as the Church 
reminds us. 

Desire. "As the hart panteth after the 
fountains of water, so my soul panteth 
after Thee, O God." (Ps. xli. I.) 

Application : 

Re-animate our devotion toward Our Lord 

in the Blessed Sacrament. 
Take pains to prepare carefully for our 

communions. 
Thank Our Lord for this Gift of gifts— 

this gage of everlasting life. 



184 The Blessed Eucharist 

88. THE EFFECTS OF HOLY COMMUNION 

"As the living Father hath sent Me, and I 
live by the Father; so he that eateth Me, the 
same also shall live by Me. JJ (John vi. 58.) 
"Thou contest to Me, that thou may est be sanc- 
tified by Me, that thou mayest receive fresh 
graces, and be stirred up to amendment of 
lifer (Imit., Bk. iv. 12.) 

Introduction : 

Man grows physically and mentally until he 
arrives at maturity. So in the supernatural 
life there should be continual growth. The 
body and blood of Our Lord, received in the 
Holy Eucharist, is the great means of spir- 
itual growth. Without it the soul has no 
life. Consider the marvelous effects of re- 
ceiving holy communion worthily. 

We Communicate that We May Be Sanc- 
tified. 

This consists in an increase of sanctifying 
grace and in the communication of sacra- 
mental grace. 

Sanctification is one of the ends of our crea- 
tion ; it is the condition of our salvation. 

This sanctification — like physical growth — 
is effected precisely because we have been 
nourished spiritually. This growth does 
not fall under the senses. 

In proportion as we increase in sanctifica- 
tion, we become more pleasing to God. 



The Effects of Holy Communion 185 

We Communicate that We May Be 
United to Our Lord. 

This blessed union 

Satisfies the desire of Our Lord. 
Satisfies the needs of the soul. 
Gives happiness even upon earth. 
Is a preparation for eternity. 
Is a source of strength. 

We Communicate that We May Receive 
Fresh Grace. 

Actual graces adapted to present needs. 
Sometimes spiritual consolation is given. 
Each communion received with fitting dis- 
position brings some special gift. 

We Communicate that We May Be 
Stirred up to Fresh Fervor. 

Greater determination to belong wholly 
to our God. 

Generosity to give Him whatever he 
asks of us. 

Courage to bear our daily cross patiently. 

Zeal to make Our Lord more known. 
This fervor exists in the will, and is com- 
patible with a state of spiritual aridity. 
It is independent of and above mere 
sentiments of emotion. 

Application : 

To strive to profit by our communions. 
To show our gratitude to our Eucharistic 
Lord by serving Him faithfully. 



THE BLESSED VIRGIN 

89. THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION— I 



"Tota pulchra es, Maria, et macula originalis 
non est in te. Alleluia" 

Introduction : 

Note the prayer of the Church for this 
feast (Dec. 8) : "O God, who by the Im- 
maculate Conception of the Virgin didst 
make ready a fitting dwelling-place for Thy 
Son, grant, we beseech Thee, that as through 
the death — foreseen by Thee — of the same 
Thy Son, Thou didst preserve His Mother 
unsullied by sin, so make us likewise come 
unto Thee pure in soul." 
Mary's purity and greatness are the two 
themes of the liturgy of this blessed feast. 

God Predestined Mary to Be : 

The second Eve, the sinless Mother of men. 

The Mother of the Incarnate Word. 

The one creature who should fully realize 

His design. 
Hence, her Immaculate Conception, due 

to the merits of the death of Jesus, 

"foreseen by God." 

Our Dear Lady's Greatness. 

Her purity of soul the source of 

Her life of union with God. 

Her constant growth in holiness. 
Her co-operation in the Redemption. 

186 



The Immaculate Conception — I 187 

Her fortitude in suffering — "Queen of Mar- 
tyrs." 

The efficacy of her intercession. 

Her glory in heaven to-day — forever (which 
glory we hope to gaze upon) . 

Our Duties Toward Our Immaculate 
Mother. 

Keep our souls pure by 

Taking due precautions. 

Combating valiantly. 

Making acts of love and contrition. 
Help others to preserve their purity by 

Prudent counsels. 

Judicious efforts. 

Earnest prayer. 
(More particularly as regards those en- 
trusted to our care.) 
Make her known and loved. 

By word. 

By example. 

By zeal for her honor. 

Application : 

Pray earnestly for perfect purity of soul 

and body. 
Invoke Our Lady when tempted against 

purity. 
Rejoice in her greatness, in the joy she gives 

to God. 



188 The Blessed Virgin 

90. THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION— II 

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and my 
soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath 
clothed me with the garments of salvation, and 
with the robe of justice; He hath covered me 
. . . as a bride adorned with her jewels" 

Introduction : 

The Church applies these prophetic words 
to Our Blessed Lady. Contrast the concep- 
tion of the sinful children of Eve in all ages 
with that of Mary. She stands alone — the 
one sinless child — the ideal child, as each 
child of earth would have been, but for the 
Fall. God and His holy angels could look 
upon her with delight. From the first mo- 
ment of her existence, she possessed that per- 
fect purity which is the passport for heaven. 

Mary — in All Humility — Knew and 
Realized Her Privileges. 

She rejoiced in God her Saviour, knowing 
that in His infinite goodness He had 

Clothed her with the garments of salva- 
tion; i.e., with sanctifying grace and the 
infusion of the theological virtues. 

Clothed her with a robe of justice by her 
acquisition of all virtues. 

Adorned her as an oriental bride, with the 
precious jewels of her many privileges 
of which her Immaculate Conception is 
the first. 



The Immaculate Conception — II 189 

We, too, Have Motives for Rejoicing in 
the Lord, not only on This Feast, but 
at All Times. 

We should rejoice for Mary's sake, and con- 
gratulate her on her dignity and priv- 
ileges. 
We can rejoice for our own sakes, in that 
Our race has been so ennobled. 
We possess such a Mother, who pleads 
for us with God, and can sympathize 
with, and assist us in all our needs. 
We have her glorious example of all vir- 
tues. 
In our lesser degree we, too, have been 
Clothed with the garments of salvation 

by Holy Baptism. 
Covered with a robe of justice, in so far 
as we have acquired certain virtues by 
God's help. 
Granted many precious favors as most 
dear children of God and of the 
Church. 

Application : 

Let us ever live in the spirit of the Magnifi- 
cat. 

Honor Our Blessed Lady by our words and 
deeds. 

Attribute to God alone all that He has given 
us. 

Value our precious inheritance as Catholics. 



190 The Blessed Virgin 

91. THE NATIVITY OF OUR LADY 1 



<<1 



I will put enmities between thee and the 
woman . . . she shall crush thy head, and thou 
shall lie in wait for her heel." (Gen. iii. 15.) 
"Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son; 
and His name shall be called Emmanuel." 
(Is. vii. 14.) 

Introduction : 

Contemplate Mary in her swaddling bands, 
cradled in the arms of St. Anne. Angels 
watch over her who is to be their Queen. 
God the Father contemplates the work of 
His hands and pronounces it "good." God 
the Son looks upon the human being of 
whom He will take flesh. God the Holy 
Ghost rejoices in that human soul which will 
ever be His temple. 

The Greatness of Mary "the Woman": 
Promised by God to the human race. 
Predicted by the prophets. 
Foreshadowed by the types of the Old Law. 
Destined to become the living tabernacle of 

the Word of God. 
Waited for throughout long ages by God's 

people. 

iThis feast has been solemnized from the earliest ages both 
in the Eastern and the Western Church. St. John the Baptist 
was sanctified in his mother's womb and Our Lady was con- 
ceived without sin. Hence, of these only, among her saints, 
are the birthdays kept as religious festivals. Most saints' 
days are kept on the day of their decease. 



The Nativity of Our Lady 191 

Destined to be the second Eve, the Mother 
of all Christians. 

Excelling in dignity every other human be- 
ing. 

How Hidden Her Destiny! 

It was unknown to her parents. 

No angels heralded her entrance into the 
world. 

Men knew not that the Mother of the Re- 
deemer had been born. 

Satan did not know that the one whose 
seed was to crush his head lay in St. 
Anne's arms. 

Her exterior life was so hidden and sim- 
ple. 
Thus in silence and secrecy God accom- 
plishes His mighty ends. 

From Mary's Birth We May Learn : 
Though God tarry, He will surely accom- 
plish His designs of love and fulfil His 
promises to men. 
By Mary's birth, God already began to an- 
swer the prayers of His people for the 
speedy advent of the Redeemer, yet they 
knew it not. So with us, often He is an- 
swering our prayers, though we perceive 
it not. We must learn to trust Him. 
God has a special work in the world for 
every soul He creates. Be it ours to dis- 
cover that work and to perform it faith- 
fully- 



192 The Blessed Virgin 

92. THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME 
OF MARY x 

"He calleth His own sheep by name and 
leadeth them out." (John x. 3.) 

Introduction : 

Our name distinguishes us from our fel- 
lows. God both gave His servants special 
names (e.g., Moses, St. John the Baptist) 
and changed their names (e.g., Abraham, 
Sarah — from Abram, Sarai. — Gen. xvii. 5, 
15) to set forth their mission. The Good 
Shepherd knows each of His sheep by name 
even as He called St. Mary Magdalen and 
St. Thomas by name. 

Power or a Name. 

To encourage to combat ( Napoleon) • 
To keep pure ( "Mother") . 
To arouse aversion (Judas). 

The Name of Mary Signifies: 

Bitterness: Trace the course of her sor* 
rows. 

A Sea: Note her boundless charity, her 
purity, humility, constancy, etc. 

iThis feast, originally confined to some of the Western 
Churches, was extended to the whole Church by Innocent XI 
as an annual act of thanksgiving for the delivery of Vienna 
besieged by the Turks (Sept. 12, 1683) and for the final de- 
feat of the Turks, who, for several centuries, had endeavored 
to overrun Christian Europe. 



Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary 193 

We, too, Have a Name Solemnly Con- 
ferred in Baptism. 

Personal 

It is that of some saint. 

It is "written in heaven" — as long as we 

are faithful. 
It is known to God: "Behold I have 

graven thee in My hands." (Is. xlix. 

16.) 
Generic 

Generic Child of God. 
Christian. 
Catholic. 
Child of Mary. 

Application: 

Invoke the name of Mary when tempted, 

sorrowful, or in need. 
Be worthy of the sacred names you bear. 
Rejoice in that your names are written in 

heaven, more than in any temporal gain. 



194 The Blessed Virgin 

93. THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LADY 
IN THE TEMPLE 

"Son, give Me thy heart; and let thy eyes 
keep My ways." (Prov. xxiii. 26.) "We 
shall go into the house of the Lord" (Ps. 
cxxi. 1.) "I have loved, O Lord, the beauty 
of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory 
dwelleth" (Ps. xxv. 8.) 

Introduction : 

We belong wholly to God, yet He deigns to 
say: "Give Me thy heart." Mary, as a 
child, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, heard 
the call of God and gladly went to dwell in 
the house of the Lord. Consider her as she 
served her Lord with her hands, and wor- 
shiped Him in His earthly temple and in 
her own soul, for she was the living temple 
of the Holy Ghost. 

Mary Gave Herself Wholly to God 
Early. 

Without hesitation. 

Without delay. 

Without reserve — hers was no partial sacri- 
fice. 

Without the least regret. 

Mary Gave Herself Generously. 

Sacrificing home comforts and joys. 
Sacrificing the society of her parents. 



Presentation of Our Lady in the Temple 195 

Sacrificing even the possibility of being a 
mother — the Jewish maiden's great ambi- 
tion — by her vow of virginity. 

Mary Gave Herself Constantly. 

She never looked back. 
She continued her life of consecration to 
God even when she returned to her home. 
Her sacrifice only ended with her life. 

Application : 

We are all called to follow Our Lord in the 
path of sacrifice, at least that required for 
the observance of God's commandments. 

Some are called to the higher path of the 
Evangelical Counsels, and blessed are 
they who hear and obey promptly and gen- 
erously. 

We are destined — when our life's pilgrimage 
is over — to be presented to God in the 
heavenly temple. 

Collect for this Feast: 

"O God, who wast pleased that on this day 
the Blessed Mary, ever a virgin, should 
be presented in the temple of Jerusalem; 
we beseech Thee let her prayers obtain 
from Thee that we one day be found 
worthy to be presented in the temple of 
Thy glory. Amen/ 



>> 



196 The Blessed Virgin 

94. THE ANNUNCIATION 

"The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, 
and she conceived by the Holy Ghost" 

Introduction : 

Thus the Church thrice daily reminds her 
children of the marvelous mystery of the In- 
carnation. The fulness of time had come 
and the human instrument chosen by God — 
the Immaculate Virgin — had been duly pre- 
pared for her stupendous mission. Then 
God fulfilled His promises and, " while all 
things were in quiet silence, and the night 
was in the midst of her course, Thy Al- 
mighty Word leapt down from heaven from 
Thy royal throne." (Wis. xviii. 14.) 
"The Word was made flesh," and Mary be- 
came the Mother of God. 

Consider the Apparition or the Angel. 

His obedience to God. 
His respect for Mary. 
His humility in saluting her. 
His joy at being sent on such a mission to 
a fallen race. 

Contemplate the Lowly Virgin. 

Her recollection in prayer. 

Her astonishment and perplexity. 

Her prompt acceptation of God's holy will. 

Her ecstatic joy and adoring love. 



The Annunciation 197 

Consider Our Lord's Coming. 

He takes the first great step toward the Re- 
demption: Afterward Our God "was 
seen upon earth and conversed with men." 
(Bar. iii. 38.) Now, only Mary knows 
of His Advent. 

How gladly He came to fulfil the prophe- 
cies and to accomplish God's will! 

How He rejoiced to find one pure soul, on 
whom He could pour out His choicest 
graces ! 

How His abasement astonished the angels 
of God! 

Application : 

Special devotion to the Incarnation by the 
devout recital of the Angelus and of the 
Nicene Creed. 
Ask Our Lady to help us to prepare for His 

coming under the Eucharistic species. 
Gratitude that to us it is given to know those 
mysteries of the Gospel, which the proph- 
ets understood not, even when predicting 
them. 

Cf. "Of which salvation the prophets 
have inquired and diligently searched, 
who prophesied of the grace to come in 
you. Searching what or what manner 
of time the Spirit of Christ in them did 
signify when it foretold those sufferings 
that are in Christ, and the glories that 
should follow." (1 Pet. i. 10, 11.) 



198 The Blessed Virgin 

95. THE FEAST OF THE VISITATION x 

"Mary, rising up in those days, went into the 
hill country with haste into a city of Juda. 
And she entered into the house of Zachary and 
saluted Elizabeth" (Luke i. 39.) 

Introduction : 

"In those days" — those blessed days which 
followed the Annunciation — Mary hastened 
to greet and congratulate her cousin St. 
Elizabeth. And, wherever Mary went, she 
bore Jesus : exterior action did not interrupt 
her prayer. 

The Little Home in Nazareth after the 
Incarnation of the Word. 

Mary's ecstasy of joy and love. 
Joseph's wonder and gratitude. 
Jesus' joy at having commenced the work 
of our Redemption. 

Now Turn to the Home or Zachary after 
His Vision. 

Elizabeth overwhelmed with joy. 
Zachary silent and full of gratitude for 

God's goodness to him. 

The marvels predicted of his son. 

i This feast, although it can be traced back to the thirteenth 
century, became obligatory on the whole Church only in the 
fifteenth. 



The Feast of the Visitation 199 

Dwell upon the Journey of Mary and 
Joseph to Hebron. 

Their modesty and simplicity. 
Their haste to bring joy to their kinsmen. 
Their thoughts and conversation — all cen- 
tred in God and His holy will. 

Contemplate the Meeting 

Of Mary and Elizabeth. 

Consider their greeting, the work of the 
Holy Ghost in them, and in St. John — 
as yet unborn. Mary's joy finds ex- 
pression in her sublime canticle, "My 
soul doth magnify the Lord." 
Of Joseph and Zachary. 

How much they had in common. Both 
had seen a vision of an angel and had 
had their faith tried by God. 
Of the Precursor and his Lord. 
The former thereby sanctified. 

Application : 

From this mystery we learn lessons of 
Humility — to give God His glory. 
Charity — to be ready to serve others. 
Zeal — for the sanctification of our neigh- 
bors. 



200 The Blessed Virgin 

96. MARY'S JOYS AND SORROWS AT 
BETHLEHEM 

"She brought forth her firstborn Son, and 
wrapped Him up in swaddling clothes and laid 
Him in a manger; because there was no room 
for them in the inn." (Luke ii. 7.) 

Introduction : 

Contemplate the lowly grotto; there the 
Mother of God and St. Joseph worship the 
Divine Infant. Adoring angels are invis- 
ibly present. "When He bringeth in the 
first-begotten into the world, He saith : Let 
all the angels of God worship Him." ( Heb. 
i. 6.) 

Mary's Joys in Bethlehem. 

To gaze upon the Divine Infant with ador- 
ing love. 

To minister to His needs. 

To see the shepherds and the Magi come to 
pay Him homage. 

To share in the humiliations and sufferings 
of her Child. 

To know that the world's Redeemer had ap- 
peared amongst men and that the longed- 
for redemption would speedily be accom- 
plished. 

Mary's Sorrows in Bethlehem. 

The indifference and neglect of the Jews: 



Mary's Joys and Sorrows at Bethlehem 201 



"i 



'His own received Him not." One stood 
amongst them whom they knew not. 

The poverty of Jesus' crib. 

The sufferings of St, Joseph on behalf of 
Mary and Jesus. 

The persecution of Jesus by Herod. 

The midnight flight into Egypt. 

Result or Mary's Joys and Sorrows Ac- 
cepted from the Hand or God. 

A great increase of divine grace. 
Growth in holiness. 
Glory given to God. 

Application : 

The Christian's life is composed of joys and 
sorrows. 

These profit in so far as we accept them 
from God and for God. 

Jesus brought sufferings to Mary and Jo- 
seph, as He brings them to all He loves 
and desires to sanctify. 

Our acceptation of* joys and sorrows must 
be all for God. Thus shall we become 
more like unto Jesus and Mary. 



202 The Blessed Virgin 

97. THE FEAST OF THE SEVEN DOLORS 

"There stood by the cross of Jesus, His 
mother/' (John xix. 25.) 

Introduction : 

Mary not only stood by the cross of Jesus 
on Calvary, but, from the moment of His 
birth, she shared His privations, sufferings, 
and ignominies. The Church, however, spe- 
cially mentions seven sorrows which afflicted 
her holy soul. In these all her sorrows are 
included. 

Why Did Maey Suffer, Since She Had 
Never Sinned? 

In order that she might 
Imitate her Divine Son. 
Glorify God by her fidelity. 
Acquire merit. 
Give us an example. 

Each of the Seven Sorrows Had its Pecu- 
liar Bitterness and Pain. 

Simeon's prediction announced a future sor- 
row. Grief awaiting her and her Son — 
she knew not when to expect it. 

The Flight into Egypt involved actual suf- 
fering — privation, poverty, exile. 

By the loss of Jesus, Mary was deprived of 
His presence for three days, when she 



The Feast of the Seven Dolors 203 

and St. Joseph sought Him sorrowing. 
(Luke ii. 48.) 

When Mary met her Divine Son on the road 
to Calvary, she shared in the awful insults 
that were heaped upon Him. 

At the Crucifixion, the nails that fixed Him 
to the cross pierced her soul. She stood 
there powerless to alleviate His sufferings. 
The Mother witnessed the agony of her 
Son. 

When she contemplated the dead body of 
her Son, she knew in detail what His per- 
secutors had inflicted upon Him. She 
did not turn away from the awful sight. 

Jesus was laid in the tomb and His Blessed 
Mother, for a time, could no longer watch 
beside Him. 

Application : 

Learn from our Immaculate Mother's ex- 
ample 

To suffer whatever it shall please God to 
send. 

To rejoice to suffer for and with our dear 
Lord. 

To realize that none enter the kingdom of 
heaven except "through great tribula- 
tions." 

That suffering bravely endured purchases 
for the sufferer "above measure, an eter- 
nal weight of glory." 



204 The Blessed Virgin 

98. MARY AND THE INFANT CHURCH 

The apostles "were persevering with one 
mind in prayer, with the women and Mary the 
Mother of Jesus, and with His brethren/' 
(Acts i. 14.) 

Introduction : 

Contemplate this chosen band of one hun- 
dred and twenty souls to whom God had 
given such special graces. There were gath- 
ered "the glorious company of the apostles," 
the future "noble army of martyrs," and the 
sinless Mother of God. They prayed and 
waited for the coming of the Spirit. 

Consider Our Lady after Jesus' Death. 
Her sorrow, boundless as the ocean. 
Her resignation. 
Her firm confidence in God, knowing that 

her Son would rise again. 
The assistance she gave His disciples. 

Mary During the Great Forty Days. 
She saw Jesus again and was glad, as her 

Son had predicted, glad in proportion to 

the depth of her sorrow. 
She rejoiced in His glory. 
Her life one constant "Magnificat" He is 

risen. Alleluia ! 

Consider Her on Mount Olivet. 
How she enters into His glory. 



Mary and the Infant Church 205 

How gladly she sees Him depart, her love is 
so pure and unselfish. 

Contemplate Her after Jesus' Ascension, 

She prays with His disciples. 

She dwells with "the beloved disciple." 

She ever converses concerning Jesus. 

She encourages the apostles. 

She reveals to the evangelists some of the 
scenes of the infancy of Jesus. 

She frequently visits Calvary — according to 
a tradition. 

She worships in the temple. 

She receives holy communion from her 
adopted son. 

She ever consoles the afflicted and sorrowful. 

She finally dies of the love of God ( some fif- 
teen years after Our Lord's Ascension) . 

Application : 

We must love her who was 
So dear to Jesus 
And to the early Church. 
We, too, can count on her assistance, for she 

is our Mother also. 
We should thank Our Lord for having given 
us such a Mother. 



206 The Blessed Virgin 

99. OUR LADY'S GREATNESS 

"Behold from henceforth all generations 
shall call me blessed" (Luke i. 48,) 

Introduction : 

Look back over the long course of ages and 
consider how the Catholic Church has ever 
honored Mary. Thus Our Lady's predic- 
tion has been, and is being, fulfilled; in 
heaven, likewise, all generations of the re- 
deemed proclaim her "blessed among 
women." 

Consider the Entrance into This World 
or Any Ordinary Human Being. 

Nothing known of this individual until a 

short time before his birth and that only 

within a narrow circle. 
Nothing known of his future career. 
After a few years of life, he passes hence and 

is forgotten. Such is the career of most 

mortals. 

What Was Known of Our Lady before 
Her Birth? 

God spoke of her in Eden and promised 
that her seed should conquer the ser- 
pent. 
She is typified in the Old Dispensation 
By the Ark of the Covenant. 
By Aaron's rod. 
By Gedeon's fleece. 



Our Lady's Greatness 207 

Isaias foretold that a virgin should conceive 
and bear a Son (vii. 14), that a Child 
should be born unto us (ix. 6) — a child 
presupposes the mother — and that this 
Son's kingdom should be everlasting. 

How Were These Predictions Fulfilled? 

By her Immaculate Conception (a prepara- 
tion). 

By the Incarnation, Birth of Jesus, the 
words of St. Elizabeth at the Visitation, 
of Simeon at the Presentation. 

By the love and honor which Jesus — as child, 
youth, and man — gave her. 

By her participation in His passion. 

By her place in the Infant Church. 

By the honor paid to her in all ages by the 
Church. 

By her glorious Assumption and Coronation. 

Application : 

Christians should 
Rejoice in the possession of such a Mother. 
Invoke her powerful aid. 
Strive to imitate her virtues. 



208 The Blessed Virgin 

100. MARY, MOTHER AND MODEL OF 
ALL THE FAITHFUL 

"Behold thy Mother/' (John xix. 27.) 

Introduction : 

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the second Eve, 
is given us as a Mother and Model. In her 
— a human being — we have the perfect pat- 
tern of all virtues. By imitating her, we 
become more like unto her Divine Son. 

Behold Thy Mother upon Earth. 

In prayer. 
Mary was constant, fervent, reverent ; ever 
mindful of God's glory and her neigh- 
bor's needs. 
In work. 

Our dear Lady was diligent, devoted, 
humble, and persevering. 
In suff eripg. 

Mary was patient, resigned, loving, joy- 
ful, and generous. She ever rejoiced 
in God her Saviour, even in tribulations. 

Behold Thy Mother in Heaven. 

Seated on her throne of glory. 

Crowned as Queen of angels and of men. 

Mediating for the Church of God upon earth 

and in purgatory. 
Working miracles in the many sanctuaries 

dedicated to her honor. 



Mary, Mother of All the Faithful 209 

Invoked as the patron of numerous Religious 
Orders, Congregations, and Sodalities. 

Honored by the universal Church as the 
Mother of Our Lord. 

Waiting for each and all her true clients to 
be gathered into their eternal Home. 

Application : 

As Catholics and children of Mary we 
should 
Meditate on the virtues of the Mother of 

Jesus. 
Imitate her virtues, especially those in 

which we fail most. 
Count upon her all-powerful intercession 
In joy and sorrow. 
In life and death. 
Keep her feasts devoutly and invoke her 

daily. 
Strive to make her known and loved. 



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8 



NOVELS 

AGATHA'S' HARD SAYING. Mulholland. 

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BOND AND FREE. Connor. 

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BY THE BLUE RIVER. Clarke. 

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DOUBLE KNOT, A, AND OTHER STORIES. 

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ESQUIMAUX, THE. 

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FABIOLA'S SISTERS. Clarke. 

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FAUSTULA. Ayscough. 

FINE CLAY. Clarke. 

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FORGIVE AND FORGET. Lingen. 

FRIENDLY LITTLE HOUSE, THE, AND OTHER 

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FURS AND FUR HUNTERS. 

GRAPES OF THORNS. Waggaman. 

HANDLING MAIL FOR MILLIONS. 

HEART OF A MAN, THE. Maher. 

HEARTS' OF GOLD. Edhor. 

HEIRESS OF CRONENSTEIN. Hahn-Hahn. 

HER BLIND FOLLY. Holt. 

HER FATHER'S DAUGHTER. Hinkson. 

HER FATHER'S SHARE. Power. 

HER JOURNEY'S END. Cooke. 

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9 



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"LIKE UNTO A MERCHANT." Gray. 
LINKED LIVES. Douglas. 
LITTLE CARDINAL, THE. Parr. 

MARCELLA GRACE. Mulholland. 

MARIAE COROLLA. (Poems.) Hill, C.P. 

MARIE OF THE HOUSE D'ANTERS. Earls, S'.J. 

MELCHIOR OF BOSTON. Earls, S.J. 

MIGHTY FRIEND, THE. L'Ermite. 

MIRROR OF SHALOTT. Benson. 

MISS ERIN. Francis. 

MONK'S' PARDON, THE. Navery. 

MR. BILLY BUTTONS. Lecky. 

MY LADY BEATRICE. Cooke. net, 50 

NOT A JUDGMENT. Keon. net, 1 25 

ON PATROL WITH A BOUNDARY RIDER. 

ONLY ANNE. Clarke. 

OTHER MISS LISLE, THE. Martin. 

OUT OF BONDAGE. Holt. 

OUTLAW OF CAMARGUE. Lamothe. 

PASSING SHADOW'S. Yorke. 

PAT. Hinkson. 

PERE MONNIER'S WARD. Lecky. 

PXLKINGTON HEIR, THE. Sadlier. 

PRISONERS' YEARS'. Clarke. 

PRODIGAL'S DAUGHTER, THE. Bugg. 

PROPHET'S WIFE, THE. Browne. 

RED INN OF ST. LYPHAR. Sadlier. 
REST HOUSE, THE. Clarke. 
ROAD BEYOND THE TOWN, AND 

Earls, S.J. 
ROSE OF THE WORLD. Martin. 
ROUND TABLE OF AMERICAN 

NOVELISTS. 
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net, 50 
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net, 50 
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NOVELISTS. 
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SOGGARTH AROON, THE. Guinan. 
SON OF SIRO. Copus, S.J. 
STORY OF CECILIA. Hinkson. 
STREET SCENES IN DIFFERENT LANDS. 
STUORE. (Stories.) Earls, S'.J. 

10 



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CLAUDE LIGHTFOOT. Finn. 1 00 

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CUPA REVISITED. Mannix. net, 40 

CUPID OF CAMPION. Finn. 1 00 

DADDY DAN. Waggaman. net, 40 

DEAR FRIENDS. Nirdlingeb. net, 50 

11 



DIMPLING'S SUCCESS. Mulholland. 

ETHELRED PRESTON. Finn. 
EVERY-DAY GIRL, AN. Crowley. 

FAIRY OF THE SNOWS, THE. Finn. 

FIVE BIRDS IN A NEST. Delamare. 

FIVE O'CLOCK STORIES. 

FLOWER OF THE FLOCK, THE. Egan. 

FOR THE WHITE ROSE. Hinkson. 

FRED'S LITTLE DAUGHTER. Smith. 

FREDDY CARR'S ADVENTURES. Garrold. 

FREDDY CARR AND HIS FRIENDS. Garrold. 

GOLDEN LILY, THE. Hinkson. 

GREAT CAPTAIN, THE. Hinkson. 

GUILD BOYS' PLAY AT RIDINGDALE. Bbarne. 

HALDEMAN CHILDREN, THE. Mannix. 

HARMONY FLATS. Whitmire. 

HARRY DEE. Finn. 

HARRY RUSSELL. Copus. 

HEIR OF DREAMS, AN. O'Malley. 

HIS FIRST AND LAST APPEARANCE. Finn. 

HOSTAGE OF WAR, A. Bonesteel. 

HOW THEY WORKED THEIR WAY. Egan. 

IN QUEST OF ADVENTURE. Mannix. 

IN QUEST OF THE GOLDEN CHEST. Barton. 

JACK. Religious H. C. J. 

TACK HILDRETH ON THE NILE. Taggart. 

JACK-O'LANTERN. Waggaman. 

JUNIORS OF ST. BEDE'S. Bryson. 

JUVENILE ROUND TABLE. First Series, Second Series, 

Third Series, each, 1 00 

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LEGENDS AND STORIES OF THE HOLY CHILD 

JESUS. Lutz. net, 50 

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LITTLE GIRL FROM BACK EAST. Roberts. net, 40 

LITTLE LADY OF THE HALL. Ryeman. net, 40 

LITTLE MARSHALLS AT THE LAKE. Nixon-Roulet. net, 50 

LITTLE MISSY. Waggaman. net, 40 

LOYAL BLUE AND ROYAL SCARLET. Taggart. 1 00 

LUCKY BOB. Finn. 1 00 

MAD KNIGHT, THE. Schaching. 
MADCAP SET AT ST. ANNE'S. Brunowe. 
MAKING OF MORTLAKE. Copus. 
MAN FROM NOWHERE, THE. Sadlier. 
MARKS OF THE BEAR CLAWS. Spalding. 
MARY TRACY'S FORTUNE. Sadlier. 
MELOR OF THE SILVER HAND. Bearne. 
MILLY AVELING. Smith. 
MIRALDA. Johnston. 
MORE FIVE O'CLOCK STORIES. 

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MOSTLY BOYS. Finn. 
MYSTERIOUS DOORWAY. Sadlier. 
MYSTERY OF CLEVERLY. Barton. 
MYSTERY OF HORNBY HALL. Sadlier. 

NAN NOBODY. Waggaman. 

NED RIEDER. Wehs. 

NEW BOYS AT RIDINGDALE. Bearne. 

NEW SCHOLAR AT ST. ANNE'S. Brunowe. 

OLD CHARLMONT'S SEED-BED. Smith. 
OLD MILL ON THE WITHROSE. Spalding. 
ON THE OLD CAMPING GROUND. Mannix. 
OUR LADY'S LUTENIST. Bearne. 

PANCHO AND PANCHITA. Mannix. 

PAULINE ARCHER. Sadlier. 

PERCY WYNN. Finn. 

PERIL OF DIONYSIO, THE. Mannix. 

PETRONILLA, AND OTHER STORIES. Donnelly. 

PICKLE AND PEPPER. Dorsey. 

PILGRIM FROM IRELAND. Carnot. 

PLAYWATER PLOT, THE. Waggaman. 

POLLY DAY'S ISLAND. Roberts. 

POVERINA. Buckenham. 



1 00 
net, 40 
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QUEEN'S PAGE, THE. Hinkson. 
QUEEN'S PROMISE, THE. Waggaman. 
QUEST OF MARY SELWYN. Clementia. 

RACE FOR COPPER ISLAND. Spalding. 
RECRUIT TOMMY COLLINS. Bonesteel. 
RIDINGDALE FLOWER SHOW. Bearne. 
ROMANCE OF THE SILVER SHOON. Bearne. 

ST. CUTHBERT'S. Copus. 

SANDY JOE. Waggaman. 

SEA-GULL'S ROCK. Sandeau. 

SEVEN LITTLE MARSHALLS. Nixon-Roulet. 

SHADOWS LIFTED. Copus. 

SHEER PLUCK. Bearne. 

SHERIFF OF THE BEECH FORK. Spalding. 

SHIPMATES. Waggaman. 

STRONG-ARM OF AVALON. Waggaman. 

SUGAR CAMP AND AFTER. Spalding. 

SUMMER AT WOODVILLE, A. Sadlier. 

TALES AND LEGENDS OF THE MIDDLE AGES'. 

Capella. 
TALISMAN, THE. Sadlier. 
TAMING OF POLLY, THE. Dorsey. 
THAT FOOTBALL GAME. Finn. 
THAT OFFICE BOY. Finn. 
THREE LITTLE GIRLS, AND ESPECIALLY ONE. 

Taggart. 
TOLD IN THE TWILIGHT. Salome. 
TOM LOSELY: BOY. Copus. 
TOM PLAYFAIR. Finn. 
TOM'S LUCK-POT. Waggaman. 
TOORALLADDY. Walsh. 

13 



net, 40 

net, 50 

1 00 



net, 



1 00 

40 

1 00 
1 00 



1 00 

1 00 

net, 40 

net, 40 

1 00 

1 00 

1 00 

net, 50 



net, 



net, 
net. 



50 

50 

1 00 
1 00 
1 00 



40 

50 

1 00 
1 00 

net, 40 
net, 40 



net, 
net. 



TRANSPLANTING OF TESSIE. Waggaman. net, 50 

TREASURE OF NUGGET MOUNTAIN. Taggart. net, 50 

TWO LITTLE GIRLS. Mack. net, 40 

UNCLE FRANK'S MARY. Clementia. 1 00 

UPS' AND DOWNS OF MARJORIE. Waggaman. net, 40 

VIOLIN MAKER, THE. Adapted by Sara Trainer 

Smith. net. 40 

WAYWARD WINIFRED. Sadlier. 1 00 

WINNETOU, THE APACHE KNIGHT. Taggabt. net, 50 

WITCH OF RIDINGDALE. Bearne. 1 00 

YOUNG COLOR GUARD. Bonesteel, net, 40 

FATHER LASANCE'S PRAYER-BOOKS 

MY PRAYER-BOOK. Imitation leather, red edges, $1.25, 

and in finer bindings. 
THE YOUNG MAN'S GUIDE. Imitation leather, red 

edges, 75 cents, and in finer bindings. 
THE CATHOLIC GIRL'S GUIDE. Imitation leather, red 

edges, $1.25, and in finer bindings. 
THE NEW MISSAL FOR EVERY DAY. Imitation 

leather, red edges, $1.50, and in finer bindings. 
THE SUNDAY MISSAL. Imitation leather, red edges, 

75 cents, and in finer bindings. 
MANNA OF THE SOUL. Vest-pocket Edition. Silk 

cloth, 40 cents, and in finer bindings. 
MANNA OF THE SOUL. Extra-Large-Type Edition. 

Imitation leather, red edges, $1.25, and in finer bindings. 
Complete list of Father Lasance's prayer-books sent on ap- 
plication. 

BENZIGER'S MAGAZINE 

To introduce Benziger's Magazine we are offering a three-months' 
trial subscription for 50 cents. Each subscription starts with the 
beginning ot a long novel of about 100,000 words, which is finished 
in three numbers, so that each trial subscriber gets it complete. The 
price of this novel when afterward published in book form is $1.35 
net, by mail $1.50. 

Besides this long novel there are in the three numbers ten to 
twelve complete stories by the foremost Catholic writers. There are 
also six pages of "Question Box," devoted mostly to religious subjects 
and imparting a great deal of practical information. 



(P/JA) 14 



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Treatment Date: Jan. 2006 

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